Specifically, the four blocks with a total area of 44,249 sq.m. located in Kritou Terra and they are considered as the Nature Protection Area of the Natura 2000 Network – Special Protection Zone (SPA) Agia Aikaterini – Agia Paraskevi Gorges.
Agia Aikaterini – Agia Paraskevi Gorge (CY4000016) is one of the 63 designated Natura 2000 areas of the Republic of Cyprus. Its area is 1,204 hectares (12,040,000 sq.m.) and falls within the boundaries of the communities of Chrysochou, Karamoulides, Goudi, Holi, Terra, Kritou Terra, Skoulli, Kato and Pano Akourdaleia, Theletra, Kathikas, Kato and Pano. It has been included in the Network in accordance with the European Birds Directive (2009/147/EC), due to its importance for the birds that breed in the area, specifically for the Falcon (Falco peregrinus), the Crane (Coracias garrulus), the Scalifurta (Oenanthe cypriaca) and the Dakkannoora (Lanius nubicus).
The land transferred is a natural area with scrub and taller woody vegetation. Terra Cypria has pledged that, after this kind donation, the land will be left as an area dedicated to nature, without any destructive interventions being made that can alter its purpose of protection.
With this concession on behalf of Vassilikos Cement, the Terra Cypria Foundation is given the opportunity to be able to preserve and protect a part of the Natura 2000 areas of Cyprus, something that we expect to be done in other areas of our island too.