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Salamis Environmental Education Centre.
It is a great pleasure to be with you today at the 2nd Almond Tree Festival, a celebration dedicated to this much-sung and much-painted tree that is the first to blossom in winter, dresses in all-white and marks the awakening of nature. This "gift" was generously given to Salamiou since the village itself, and the surrounding area, is at this time of year full of beautiful blooming almond trees.
Salamiou, like many villages in the valleys of the Diarizos and Xeros rivers, is no stranger to me. Many years ago I was invited and gave lectures in Salamiou on traditional architecture, I became interested in its dry stone and natural landscape, I visited the Holy Monastery of Panagia Salamiotissa, the local winery, the Neofytidio cinema, and I am a regular patron of the festivals held here.
Salamiou is an active and progressive community, despite its sparse resident population, struggling against homelessness and difficult economic and social conditions due to relative isolation. By preserving our traditions and culture, having as an important asset its people, its built and intangible cultural heritage, its monuments, its natural environment and its unique geology, Salamiou manages to remain a vibrant community that sets goals for its sustainable development.
The operation since 2010 of the Centre for Environmental Education (CEE), part of the CEE network. of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, is an important project for the revitalization of the community, as are other activities carried out in the village, such as courses in traditional crafts and visual arts.
I read that your rich ecological treasure, which includes fossils of trees and corals that are millions of years old, is of great importance. It is also of great environmental interest, being a habitat for the wildebeest, a passage for migratory birds, and the site of the "Crest of Salamis" is a natural habitat for the rare fire-breasted vulture. The entire area, a large part of which is part of the Natura 2000 project, is a refuge for flora and fauna. I note that the protection and restoration of the trees, which farmers maintained with great care in the past - many of which are now abandoned and crumbling - are very important, among other things, for soil conservation, combating desertification and enhancing biodiversity. As a result, the dry-stone technique has been inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The two relevant actions carried out in Salamiu by organizations in cooperation with the local community in 2023 on dry-stone building were important.
The current Presidency has initiated the implementation of objectives related to the sustainable management of the Presidential Palace Pier, which is in close proximity to the Pediaeus River. The project was initiated by First Lady Philippa Carcera Christodoulides and former Environment Commissioner and current Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Dr. Maria Panayiotou. In this context, it is planned to restore all the existing batches of Pervolios and to supplement them with new ones. Already, under my guidance and supervision as Commissioner for the Environment and in cooperation with the Forestry Department, the pilot construction of a batch of about 30 metres has begun. This action will be included in a digital educational programme for visitors to the Pervolio and to encourage other institutions, public and private, to implement the same practice.
I understand that Salamiou has not been included in the Troodos Geopark. Consideration could be given to the creation of the cluster of 18 communities to be created by the local government reform (Agios Georgios, Agios Ioannis, Agios Nikolaos, Arminou, Kedares, Kelokatera, Kidasi, Mamonia, Mesana, Nikoklia, Pretori, Pratori, Prastio, Salamiou, Stavrokonnou, Trachypedoula, Fassoula, Filousa, Choletria) to be recognized as a biosphere reserve - which is also a special and important UNESCO institution, alongside that of the Geoparks. Such an eventuality would highlight the area and attract even more interest. The process of recognising the area as a biosphere reserve initially requires the corresponding will and consensus of the communities, organised next steps and actions, the implementation and operation of adequate cultural and environmental projects, studies, documentation and, in general, visionaries working towards this goal, which, from my point of view as Commissioner for the Environment, is both an invitation and a challenge to you.
The stable development of the countryside, the strengthening of the primary and secondary sector, the improvement of living standards, the investment in the quality of Cypriot agricultural products and the protection of the environment are priorities in President Christodoulides' programme of governance, who during the announcement of the government programme for this year also announced the gradual implementation of the "Green Community" institution, aiming within 2024 for communities and/or clusters of communities, with the contribution of the state, to become not only energy independent but also to serve other environmental objectives, seeking to accelerate Cyprus' alignment with the European Green Agreement.
The above is currently being considered by the Office of the Environment Commissioner in conjunction with the Climate Neutral Communities institution. In this context, the communities of Tilliria have already announced their ambition to make Tilliria green and climate neutral.
I propose that we consider the above institutions and jointly explore the possibilities of promoting them. The Office of the Environment Commissioner can put the project under her auspices and take a coordinating and supporting role in the process of implementing the actions and practices, as they will be co-decided.
In conclusion, I would like to stress that events such as today's, apart from their entertaining and social character, are important actions to preserve customs and traditions, and promote the rich culture of our country. Their organisation is practical proof of the commendable effort to promote the community. I therefore extend my warmest congratulations to the Salamis Cultural Club, the Community Council and thank you all for your warm welcome and hospitality.
I wish you every success in your goals as well as in today's event.
(ASP)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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