Title
Background
Why is this project
important to Cypriots?
Main activities
Contribution to
cooperation and trust
between Greek
Cypriots and Turkish
Cypriots
What does this project
aim to achieve?
UNDP’s area of work
Who are the project
partners?
Duration
Budget
Cooperation for the Conservation of Rare Endemic Plants of
Cyprus Within the Buffer Zone
The project seeks to bring Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots
together to preserve rare and threatened plants that are located within
the buffer zone. The project will actively seek the participation of local
and marginalised communities (within and adjacent to the buffer zone)
in the plant conservation effort. The success of the project could
facilitate the establishment of an islandwide network of Plant Micro
Reserves (PMRs) aiming at the conservation of the rich plant diversity
of the island.
It is one of the goals of this project to preserve and monitor rare,
endemic and threatened plants, native to Cyprus. The project will
focus on the detailed monitoring and effective conservation of the
populations of ‘Ophrys kotschyi’ and ‘Tulipa cypria’, which are found in
the buffer zone. By creating inter-communal partnerships it is foreseen
that these important indigenous plants will be preserved and further
conservation efforts to preserve such plants will be encouraged.
o Conduct an environmental audit
o Map out the area for the PMRs
o Liaison with local communities
o Establish the PMRs
o Monitor and site manage the plots; including installing sensor
networks
o Seed germination and propagation ex situ
o Preservation of living plants in botanical gardens
o Carry out telephone interviews to gauge awareness of Greek
Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots on biodiversity conservation and
environmental values
o Promote public awareness on plant diversity conservation and
the project’s activities through media coverage and a
workshop
o Present the results of the project at an international
conference
This project supports the development and strengthening of existing
inter-communal partnerships at academic, NGO and local community
levels, in the area of biodiversity conservation in Cyprus. The
participation of scientists from both communities will initiate
cooperation for the protection of the common natural environment and
enhance the sustainability of the project.
The successful implementation of this project will see the promotion of
cooperation of scientists, NGOs and local people from both
communities towards the conservation of endemic, rare and
threatened plants of Cyprus, found within the buffer zone.
Conservation activities will focus on the establishment, monitoring and
management of two PMRs. The PMR concept envisages the
monitoring and conservation of small land plots of great value in terms
of plant richness, endemism and rarity.
Environment and Energy for Sustainable Development
Frederick Institute of Technology
February 2007 – August 2008
CYP 66,015 (approx. USD 150,000)