Environmental
Chamaeleo Calyptratus
The SBA Environmental Department was established in 2002 in recognition of new and impeding environmental legislation to which the Administration has legal and policy responsibilities. In accordance with HMG's 1960 Declaration on the Administration of the SBAs , the SBAA seeks to replicate as far as possible the legislation of the Republic of Cyprus and this also applies to environmental legislation. The SBAA is also a signatory to many International Conventions and with this comes an obligation to demonstrate good environmental Stewardship of the Bases. The SBAA has the responsibility for some of the most unspoiled natural areas in Cyprus; including a substantial number of designated sites, with statutory obligations to protect and conserve.
To provide advice and policy on all Environmental matters within the British Sovereign Base Areas in support of British Forces Cyprus and to encourage good ecological and conservation practice
Main areas of responsibility:
- To provide advice and policy on all Environmental matters within the Sovereign Base Areas in support of British Forces Cyprus and encourage good ecological and conservation practices in order to meet statutory requirements.
- Carry out statutory functions under environmental legislation.
- Work in collaboration with other stakeholder departments and organizations in order to enforce environmental laws and legislation.
- Oversee and regulate the environmental impact of military training activities.
- Manage the Akrotiri Education, Environmental and Information Center which is part of the Cyprus network for environmental education.
- Draw up Environmental Management Plans for protected sites – including management prescriptions and action plans
- Provide input to stakeholder queries including parliamentary questions, freedom of information, reports for the Bern, Ramsar and Bonn Conventions and reply to any relevant queries
- Provide advice on development applications within environmentally sensitive areas ( Special Protection Areas, candidate Special Areas of Conservation, Ramsar sites and Antiquities)
- Undertake various surveys e.g. Vulture monitoring, Eleonora’s falcon breeding counts, Demoiselle crane and Flamingo surveys, Turtle surveys etc.) to meet statutory obligations.
- Undertake environmental assessments including Appropriate Assessments, environmental impact assessments providing the environmental committee with scoping options
- Undertake regular condition monitoring of environmentally sensitive areas (Natural and Historic).
account_balance Legislationkeyboard_arrow_up
picture_as_pdfNature WildLife Ordinance
picture_as_pdfNature Wildlife Amendment Ordinance
Policy and Guidancekeyboard_arrow_up
Policy
picture_as_pdfPolicy Statement as of October 2013
Guidance
picture_as_pdfAppropriate Assessment Guidelines to Proponents
people_outlineConsultationskeyboard_arrow_up
Publicationskeyboard_arrow_up
picture_as_pdfAkrotiri Kentish Plover Black Winged
picture_as_pdfAkrotiri Wetlands Final Report
picture_as_pdfAntennae Health survey
picture_as_pdfMarine-turtle survey at Akrotiri-Episkopi
picture_as_pdfAkrotiri Peninsula Environmental Management Plan
picture_as_pdfFalco vespertinus on the Akrotiri Peninsula
petsSpecial Areas of Conservation / Mapskeyboard_arrow_up
picture_as_pdfSAC Legislation (Gazette 1795)
picture_as_pdfAkrotiri map (4.7 Mb)
picture_as_pdfAgios Nicolaos map (4.8 Mb)
picture_as_pdfCavo Pyla map (4.1 Mb)
picture_as_pdfDhekelia map (4.8 Mb)
picture_as_pdfEpiskopi map (6.2 Mb)
Bird Trapping / Poaching Informationkeyboard_arrow_up
picture_as_pdfBird Trapping/Poaching Statistics 2018/2019
picture_as_pdfBird Trapping/Poaching Statistics 2017/2018
picture_as_pdfGame and Wild Bird Offences 2019
picture_as_pdfGame and Wild Bird Offences 2018
picture_as_pdfGame and Wild Bird Offences 2017
picture_as_pdfGame and Wild Bird Offences 2016
Frequently Asked Questions on the designation of Special Areas of Conservation within the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Introduction: This note aims to provide stakeholders with a brief summary of information on the effects of having land designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
What is a Special Area of Conservation?keyboard_arrow_up
Special Areas of Conservation are areas designated in order to preserve, maintain or re-establish habitats and flora and fauna species of sufficient diversity and size to support protected habitats and flora and fauna species listed in Schedules 1 and 2 to the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife Ordinance 2007 and other important habitats and species.
Why does the Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) have to designate and protect SACs?keyboard_arrow_up
The SBAA has a legal obligation to designate SACs under the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife Ordinance which satisfies its commitments to the Bern Convention whilst mirroring the provisions of the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife Law of the Republic of Cyprus. The Law in question implements the provisions of the European Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. The designation in the SBAs will support the existing network (NATURA 2000) of SACs in Cyprus and across Europe. The SBAA also has an obligation to prescribe appropriate protection and conservation measures for the designated sites. The SBAA will work closely with all stakeholders in ensuring the protection and appropriate management of these sites.
gamesHow will the designation affect development?keyboard_arrow_up
The SAC designation does not equate to zero development. Proposals for
development will be subject to appropriate consideration of their potential
adverse effect on the integrity or the character of the SACs. This requirement,
legally known as the “appropriate assessment”, applies both within the sites
themselves and their surrounding areas. For most developments the
Appropriate Assessment is an uncomplicated, straightforward procedure. The
Appropriate Assessment process has been in use since 2007 in accordance
with the Policy Statement of the SBAA Administrative Secretary in relation to
candidate SACs and will continue to apply to the designated SACs. The same
process applies in relation to the Special Protection Areas for birds
designated under the Game and Wild Birds Ordinance in 2010. More
information on the Appropriate Assessment can be found at:
http://www.sbaadministration.org/index.php/eco-policy-guidance
Most, if not all, of the current legal land management activities are expected to
remain unaffected.
How SACs are formally designated?keyboard_arrow_up
The areas that qualify for designation (based on scientific criteria ) are initially published through a Notice under the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife Ordinance as a List of Areas of European environmental interest. The List was published on 28 May 2015. Further to the publication there is a minimum requirement of a thirty day consultation period for any stakeholder to make any representations on specific scientific grounds. The SBAA has granted an extension of thiry days to the consultation period which ended on 3 August 2015 instead of 3 July 2015. Once representations are taken into account the final list of areas of European environmental interest are published in the SBA Gazette. The final list was published on 23 December 2015. The areas included in the final list are then formally designated as SACs by an Order made under the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife Ordinance.The Order was made on 30 December 2015.
How are SACs protected?keyboard_arrow_up
In addition to the general protection of SACs provided under the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife Ordinance, SACs are managed and protected through legal measures for the protection and conservation of habitats both within the designated site and its surrounding area.
Where to find out morekeyboard_arrow_up
In addition to the general protection of SACs provided under the Protection
and Management of Nature and Wildlife Ordinance, SACs are managed and
protected through legal measures for the protection and conservation of
habitats both within the designated site and its surrounding area.
Where to find out more
If you wish to find out more about Special areas of Conservation then you can
refer to:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm
http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environment.nsf/All/C616AEA
921159FBAC22578010040DBF9?OpenDocumen
Picture Gallery
Images taken by the Environmental Team
