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Sir,
In two years' time, in 2004, the Republic of Cyprus will almost certainly accede to the European Union. The Government of Cyprus, in terms of implementation of (existing) environmental protection laws, is however light years away from meeting EU requirements.
This is nowhere more evident than in the blatant flaunting of bird protection legislation. Cyprus and Cypriots must accept that the illegal trapping for consumption of small birds is a practice for which the economic and nutritional necessity ended early in the last (20th) century.
Furthermore, in the eyes of most fellow Europeans, it is a barbaric and cruel practice and it adversely affects the survival of protected species which breed in Northern and Central Europe.
Cyprus is an important geographic stepping stone for millions of migrating birds. Instead of finding rest and strength for their long journey north they find a lingering and cruel death.
In addition to the 'Cyprus connoisseurs' in the ghettos of Ayia Napa and other similar resorts, many of whom one can meet on the trails of the Akamas with six-packs and off-road jeeps, there are an increasing number of eco-tourists coming unremarked to Cyprus to enjoy its nature and wildlife.
The motto of all tourists in our shrinking natural world should be "take only photographs - leave only footprints".
The signatories of this letter* almost certainly belong to this category; or are considering visiting Cyprus in the future. This trend will increase and will put the rewards in the pockets of all of the islanders -- not just a few developers.
It is, however, a first essential that the criminal, but highly profitable, activity of trapping and illegal shooting of birds is stopped. No one wants to come and see dead birds; or hear stillness where there should be vibrant birdsong.
The open consumption of ambellopoulia in restaurants must no longer be tolerated but condemned as outdated, immoral and anti-social; and the activities of the trappers must be relentlessly combated.
In this respect, pressure is also being put on the British Sovereign Base Area authorities to finally close the notorious 'safe havens' or 'no-go areas' of Cape Pyla and the Paralimni district.
As concerned nature lovers, conservationists, birders or ornithologists, we urge the Cyprus Government, and the British SBA authorities to place this matter high on their agenda and take quick and concerted action against the criminal elements who practise this very lucrative illegal trade.
A blind eye can no longer be turned to the steady decimation in Cyprus of European bird populations and the potentially severe impact on global populations. It is time to consolidate what little of our global environment remains intact and not be motivated by misleading or short-sighted perceptions of local political sensibility or expediency, as is sadly so often the case with our elected representatives.
Lorenzo Bruschi,
and 15 residents of Rimini,
Italy
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