Costas Kadis announced the start of the preparation of a "Code of Good Management and Protection of Wetlands" of our island
Dear friends,
Today's simple event is organized on the occasion of the World Wetlands Day, which is celebrated every year on 2 February.
The importance of wetlands is immense and multi-dimensional, since they are not only an irreplaceable indicator of the quality and sufficiency of a country's groundwater, but also play a key role in providing food and clean water, protecting against flooding and erosion, and stabilising the coastline. In addition, they provide shelter for thousands of plant and animal species, many of which are rare or endangered, and are also areas for recreation and relaxation. Wetlands are an important attraction for many people such as naturalists, walkers and birdwatchers, enriching a country's tourism product.
The enormous ecological importance of wetlands is recognised worldwide, which is why the International Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, known as the Ramsar Convention, was signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The treaty includes more than 2,400 wetlands from the 172 countries that have signed the Convention, including Cyprus. Under the Convention, the Larnaca Salt Lake, which includes the Great Lake and the lakes Orphani, Sorou and Airport, covering a total area of 1761 hectares, has been included in the list as the 1081st wetland of international importance, while it has also been included in the European NATURA 2000 network.
The Ramsar Convention, by adopting a protection resolution at the 12th meeting of its member states in 2015, recognised the special importance of Mediterranean island wetlands. The resolution calls on Mediterranean States Parties to take appropriate measures to protect their wetlands.
On our island, Terra Cypria, operating as an Environmental Protection Foundation and following the example of the Environmental Organization WWF Greece, proceeded in 2014 with the inventory of all wetlands on our island, natural and artificial, with an area of more than 1000 square meters, resulting in the registration of 374 wetlands, of which 316 are artificial and 58 are natural.
Water scarcity on our island has led to the creation of many artificial works, such as sluices and off-shore reservoirs, aimed at storing as much water as possible and enriching the underground aquifer. The artificial wetlands of our island, which now take precedence over the natural ones, are now also artificial ecosystems that are home to very important species of flora and fauna.
Friends,
As a society, we must work to protect the important wetlands of our island, since in this way we will protect the natural environment that we have inherited.
As a society, we must work to protect the important wetlands of our island, since in this way we will protect the natural environment that we have inherited. To this end, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment is pleased to announce today the preparation of a Code for the good management and protection of our island's wetlands, in collaboration with the Terra Cypria Foundation. The Code will be ready before the end of 2022 and will include, among other things, a hierarchy of actions for the restoration of important degraded wetlands, general guidelines for organized groups and the public, as well as a framework for promoting research and activities related to the monitoring and good management and protection of wetlands.
