‘Wildlife sites at risk’
MINISTERS have backed down on a new regulation devised to preserve the country’s wetlands, in the face of vociferous opposition from environmentalists who claim it waters down existing protection and could destroy the wildlife sites.
Experts and NGOs demanded a government rethink of the measure published in the Official Gazette early last week, claiming it would undermine a ban on construction within 100 metres of the sites, in order to allow building of structures such as animal shelters inside the protected zones.
The backlash led to an announcement by Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman that the new Regulation for the Conservation and Management of Wetlands would be taken back to the Council of Ministers for reconsideration.
The revision was welcomed by the Mağusa Town and Ecology Platform, which said it would be monitoring its progress and supporting action against current illegal builds in areas including Ayluga.
Environmentalists had reacted angrily to the new provision, claiming ministers had “quietly” agreed, at their meeting on September 28, to over-ride a 100-metre “Absolute Protection Area” created by 1997 legislation around the perimeter of the country’s wetlands — described by critics of the move as “world heritage” which should be preserved.
They hit out at the change as paving the way for “destroying” 35 wetland sites announced as having been identified in a survey by visiting “EU experts”, and claimed it could lead to the elimination of many species.
The Gazimağusa area, home to 11 of the sites, was likely to be hardest hit, they said, urging that the land should not be “handed over as a gift”.
Biologists’ Association head Niyazi Türkseven criticised the study, claiming the “so-called expert” was not a biologist and had not consulted local experts or academics. Instead, he alleged, the work had been conducted “in an unscientific manner” using a GPS device and accompanied by a civil servant of the Environmental Protection Department.
Yusuf Yüksel Şentuğ, leader of the Forever Friends group of animal lovers, said wetlands were “not the habitat of humans alone, but of other living things”, and “should be protected at all costs”.
Biologist Pelin Üretici, of the Gazimağusa Women’s Centre, part of the ecology platform, said the previous legislation had been designed to protect wetland habitat and biodiversity, while the Independence Path’s Erol Emin claimed that region’s Ayluga and Gülseren lakes would be particularly vulnerable to “capitalistic initiatives destroying flora and fauna”.
The Regulation for the Conservation and Management of Wetlands was announced earlier in the month as outlawing touristic, housing, industry or similar construction around the protected sites, and the dumping of solid or liquid waste, rubble or similar debris.
The regulation also provided for the rehabilitation of dry or ecologically damaged wetlands, where “technically and economically suitable”.
Any activity within the protected areas would require Environmental Protection Department authorisation, and any violation could bring a fine equivalent to up to one month’s minimum wage.
Permitted activities would include those for agricultural and domestic purposes, eco- and cultural tourism, walking and nature conservation, as well as scientific research and education.
Department director Abdullah Aktolgalı said: “Everyone should know that no-one can just do anything in these areas. They are ours.”