KEMA, or the Cyprus Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats, was formed by around 40 people under the leadership of Dr. Orhan Aydeniz in 2005, amidst growing concern about the deforestation and destruction of natural habitats throughout North Cyprus.

The foundation is involved with tackling sensitive issues such as inappropriate agricultural practices, confronting political decisions which they feel are detrimental to the environment, and preventing the destruction of natural resources – at all times reaffirming their belief that nature deserves a spokesperson.

Having only been in existence for a short amount of time, they are becoming well known in North Cyprus, encouraging the public to become involved in the long term future of the country, and educating them on the heritage and importance of Cyprus’ resources as well as what will unfortunately happen should things not change for the better in the near future without the help and support of everyone.

KEMA encourages the population to do their bit to help, and they also welcome contact from other organisations, and those who wish to found their own groups under the umbrella of KEMA.  You can also contact KEMA if you believe there is something happening in your area that you’re concerned may be having a negative impact on the environment.

KEMA invites the public to become members and join in the efforts to protect the environment and they can be contacted via email at info@kibriskema.org and their website www.kibriskema.org/eng.htm in both Turkish and English, or by telephone on +90 (0)392225 57 54 or +90 (0)542 856 10 56.

For centuries the olive tree in Cyprus has been instrumental in the island’s fortunes with its fruit and the oil from it being major exports in the past for example.  Some olive trees are still harvested today, but only to provide olives and oil for the local markets.  And in the meantime, the population of trees has been severely reduced due to illegal felling and the olive tree’s use as one of the best woods for heating homes.It became a registered concern in North Cyprus in 2005, and

Zakad’s aims are to educate the population and construction companies on the olive tree’s heritage and tourism appeal, as well as to continue efforts to preserve those that remain and to prevent what Zakad call further ‘genocide’ of these monuments in North Cyprus.  They have also re-homed uprooted trees where possible, giving them a chance to re-grow uninterrupted in new locations.

One other project called ‘The Olive Tree Rescue Project’ was in operation until as recently as 2005, but sadly this has since ceased; however they were also instrumental in re-homing felled trees, and provided emergency assistance on notification from the public upon seeing illegal felling work.

Zakad thankfully continues its work, and Cenk also runs the Burhan furniture shop in Kyrenia and the warehouse showroom in Lefkosa.  He is a keen environmentalist who has produced some wonderful pieces of art and furniture from remains of olive trees that have been found in an effort to continue the tree’s life in some form, even if not with its roots in the ground.  Zakad have also been involved in several of the Olive Festivals in recent years, selling postcards and displaying art made from olive wood.

If you would like to know more about Zakad and its efforts, or if you would like to even re-home a tree or notify them about illegal felling or become a member of the organisation then you can contact them in the following ways:

Website : http://www.zakad.org/

Telephone : Cenk Soykut, President : +90 (0)542 859 1111

Email : zakad04@yahoo.com or zakad04@hotmail.com

What can we tell you about water in North Cyprus, apart from the fact that this small island doesn’t have much?

The situation in recent years has become more and more serious, and in other related articles we will attempt to educate and inform people about this issue – which is not about to go away in the foreseeable future, as weather predictions show that more dry and hot weather is likely in the years to come.

Water in North Cyprus is mainly taken from natural reservoirs located in various parts of the island, and also from wells which are drilled to supply some villages and towns.  The most populated areas such as Kyrenia, Lefkoşa and Famagusta often rely on tanker deliveries for their supplies as there is limited mains water available.  Water also arrives in North Cyprus naturally from Turkey via aquifers deep underground, these level out in Cyprus and provide a natural supply that’s then tapped into for day-to-day usage.

It’s often mentioned that you should not drink the mains water in North Cyprus – and we would always suggest you err on the side of caution and stick to this advice.  But many do drink the water and have come to no harm, however, this can depend on where you are located and where your water is sourced from.  Most expats choose to buy water coolers and then buy in supplies of water bottles that can be fitted easily, giving instant and fresh hot and cold water.

If you are on a mains supply then it will be metered and is supplied via the mains to your tanks.  These are normally located on the ground for storage, and on the roof where solar panels heat your hot water supply and where, with the help of gravity, you get better water pressure in your home.  You will be required to pay your bills on a monthly basis to your local belediye (district office).  As with all bill paying it is possible to organise payments through designated banks, or to top up your water account with credit if you are not going to be around.

If you require a tankered supply of water to your home then there are many companies and individuals who can supply it for you.  Prices again vary, with delivery in the summer months being far more expensive compared to winter delivery charges.  For an average water tank of 2 tonnes you should expect to pay around 20-25ytl (approx £8-10), but having said that, with water becoming more scare, prices are bound to increase!

Some of the larger property developments built for the holiday home market have started to take the situation seriously, building communal pools rather than lots of individual ones, and also have chosen to build an integrated desalinisation plants within their developments, at least meaning they are not taking natural supplies from the wider community.

Prices also differ depending on your local belediye, with Alsancak near Kyrenia for example charging a set amount of 20ytl (approx £8) for the first 20 tonnes, and then implementing a tiered increase thereafter.  This has the aim of making people more aware of how much they are using and trying to curb unnecessary consumption.

Given our initial statement on the dire water situation in North Cyprus, water is a PRECIOUS resource, and people need to think twice before hosing down patios and driveways, washing cars, as well as over exuberant garden watering amongst other things!!  Also be aware that water to fill or top up swimming pools should be delivered by tanker as it is illegal to use mains or well water.  You can be fined and have your supply cut off if you are found doing this.  Please use water wisely!

Damlaya Damlaya Yok Olur – Drop by Drop it Disappears!

BIO-DER, otherwise known as the Cyprus Turkish Biologists Environment Research and Protection Association, is an extremely passionate organisation aimed at bringing attention to environmental issues that should concern us all in North Cyprus.

With support from the United Nations Development Programme and the US AID organisation, BIO-DER plays a very important role in bringing environmental issues to the table, both to the general public and the government – and they are vocal in their protestations about the destruction of the countryside and rural way of life in North Cyprus.

All of the association’s members are qualified individuals, with biologists and environmental experts making up the main branch of the organisation.  They are frequently in the press discussing issues close to nature and how the impacts of road building for example are affecting the biological shift in North Cyprus, as well as the condemnation of donkey slayings in the Karpaz region.

They are also active in the field of campaigning and fund raising, recruiting both adults and children to help with projects like the clearing of beaches from rubbish prior to the Turtle nesting season, and are also available to offer support to other organisations with project advice and expertise.

BIO-DER also have their own quarterly publication, which at present is only available in Turkish, called Kıbrıs Bilim (Cyprus Science) – it’s full of content covering subjects like wildlife, ecology, genetics and botanics, and can be found on most supermarket shelves.

They are tireless in their dedication to the protection of the environment for all of us and our children to enjoy in generations to come, and they are grateful for all interested parties to become involved in any way they can.  Their efforts have been rewarded recently too, having been awarded in 2008 with the best Environmental Organisation amongst NGO’s from both the north and south of the island.

You can contact BIO-DER at info@biyologlardernegi.org and find out more about them via their website www.biyologlardernegi.org which is in both Turkish and English.

There are two and more recently even three (a summer season has been known) hunting seasons in North Cyprus, and at the time of writing the first seasons ran from late November through to late December, with hunting only allowed each Sunday.  Normally running from October, the 2008 season has been shortened due to concerns about the lack of game available as a result of the recent long hot summers which have affected game breeding rates.

Hunters are allowed to hunt game with hunting dogs, such as black partridge, pheasant, chukka partridge, snipe, quail, crow, magpie, and rabbit amongst other species.  However this list is under constant review due to dwindling numbers of all of the above; in fact, the Francolin (black partridge) and Chukka (partridge) are both likely to be taken off the list of species that can be hunted in the near future as they are facing extinction.  It is absolutely prohibited to shoot any bird that is not on the list issued to hunters, especially birds of prey.

There is also a second hunting season which starts usually in mid-January, on both a Wednesday and a Sunday. This is for hunting small game which includes some of the smaller bird species which are migratory such as blackbirds.  This season does not allow the use of hunting dogs.

The Hunting Laws in North Cyprus come under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior, and they are responsible for the laws of hunting under the Game and Wild Bird Law.  This law covers rules such as animals which are allowed to be hunted, the amount of animals to be hunted per hunter, the rules of hunting licences, hunting areas, and they also govern the dates of the hunting seasons.

North Cyprus has its own Hunting Federation with separate areas having their own sub-federations, each with a president residing over it.  They oversee and govern hunters and the issuing of licences.  They are also involved in breeding programmes to replenish stock, and also ensuring through patrols on hunting days that hunters are hunting according to the law, as well as being legally licensed.  The Hunting Federation also has a large influence on the political front, and their vote has proved valuable to the current government in recent times, which some say is the reason that hunting has been allowed to proceed at a time when perhaps it no longer should. Of course, valuable income is also derived from the hunting community in the form of payments for hunting licenses.

Over recent years however, more and more environmental groups, biologist groups and the general public are voicing concerns about the decimation of wildlife, the seeming rise in the number of illegal hunters being caught, the use of illegal hunting methods to trap song birds and so on.  There have also been some very sad instances of hunters being injured and even killed by friendly fire from other nearby hunters.

It is inevitable that hunting will always be a sensitive issue, but other detrimental effects on the natural habitat are also to blame for the decrease in bird population, such as major road building projects and the prolific property development that has occurred in North Cyprus over the past few years.

If you have any concerns about illegal hunting or you see an incident which you believe to be illegal, you can contact the Hunting Federation on its hotline number 122, providing as much information as you can such as car license plates, time and location of hunting activity.

Please visit our other related articles to find out more about the bird population in North Cyprus, as well as some of the Groups and Organisations that are involved in the protection of the birds and wildlife in North Cyprus.

The Karpaz National Park has been recently designated as a Special Protected Area in line with EU regulations.  Ecologically the area is home to more than 100 rare species of flora, and its beaches are also important nesting sites for the Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) and Green Sea (Chelonia Mydas) turtles.  Historically within the national park area remains of the Kastros, the first human settlement on the island of Cyprus, have been found too.  So you can clearly see just how significant and important a region of Cyprus the National park truly is.

However, hunting has also been allowed in this area, thus allowing the possibility of already endangered animals to become dangerously close to extinction in North Cyprus.  In the recent past there have also been instances of the Karpaz donkeys being shot for encroaching onto private farming land, they have been blamed for destroying crops and damaging property.  Up until a few years ago the donkeys were housed within an enclosed area in the park, with rangers being employed to ensure that they were fed and watered.  All this was funded by the EU but the initiative seems to have fallen by the wayside.

Unfortunately there are now the beginnings of some rather haphazard development encroaching into this area too, with property developments beginning to creep further and further towards this protected land.  There has been much discontent over recent electrical power line installations as well, these were approved by local authorities to enable distantly located residents to have the benefits of electricity, but the installations have resulted in ugly electrical poles scouring the countryside.

Much is made of this area of Cyprus and its valuable ecological existence, and the issues associated with keeping it preserved.  The EU’s valuable involvement and various other studies which have taken place, along with the constant monitoring of turtle breeding and the activities of environmentally conscious groups may play a part in saving this national treasure in the years to come.

Please also see our other related articles about this area, as well as about other groups and organisations which are concerned with the environment.

In June 1995 North Cyprus experienced its worst forest fire in living memory, it dominated the skyline between Lapta in the west and Beşparmak over to the east, destroying around 160 kilometres of forest and famous olive groves as well as property and shops.  Towns and villages were evacuated, and emergency help was sought from the fire services, military, foreign bases and the UN; the fire was eventually tamed three days later.  This destruction left mountains bereft of trees, and although they have been replanted over the years, it will take many more years to re-establish and restore North Cyprus to its previous beauty.  No one was ever found to have been responsible for this atrocity.

The fire service now has checkpoints along the coastline all over North Cyprus to watch for any signs of fire danger inland.  There is also the Civil Defence who are part of a network of organisations who pull together in the event of a potentially life threatening situation – such as the one experienced in 1995.

When visiting North Cyprus, should you have reason to notify the fire service then the following numbers will be invaluable to you, and North Cyprus will be grateful for your help.

Forest Fire – 177

You will see ‘Alo-177’ signs on the roads all over North Cyprus.

Fire Service – 199

This number is for any other fire issue such as property related fires.

* Remember these numbers are for emergency purposes only.

It is worth noting that it is illegal to light fires for barbeques anywhere near or within reach of forest areas unless otherwise designated, and that bonfires are also illegal without a necessary permit.

The summer can begin as early as March…though officially it doesn’t start until June, but by then temperatures are already in the 30s (around 86F).  From June to September there is no rain, the days are long and hot, the evenings are balmy and relaxing – though the nights can sometimes be a little uncomfortable – a fan or an air-conditioning unit soon stifle the night-time heat and allow for restful sleep.

In October in North Cyprus the weather begins to change, though you can still enjoy sunbathing on Alagadi beach and a beer on the harbour!  The first autumn rains usually fall in the first two weeks of October and bring the plants and trees a much needed drink.  After the long hot summer, drains are full of dust and leaves and this makes for an interesting driving experience after the first few days of rains!

Water shortage can be a real issue in Northern Cyprus during the Spring and Summer, and so excuse us if we mention rain a lot in this article!  It doesn’t rain that often in northern Cyprus; precipitation is confined to the short Autumn and Winter months, but the rains bring the greenery and the greenery soon bursts into colourful bloom.  Springtime in Cyprus is an incredible sight to behold.  If you only ever visit in the Summertime you’ll find it hard to believe that the sometimes desert-like interior landscape greens over and then gives birth to thousands of beautiful flowers, but it does!

Officially the seasons in North Cyprus are Autumn in October, Winter from November to March, Spring in April and May and Summer from June to September.  But living in North Cyprus we can tell you that the transition from Winter through Spring and into Summer is rapid, Spring is longer than Winter and yes, you can sunbathe from March!

Average daily temperatures in July and August start in the mid 30s, whereas April, May, June, September and October enjoy more bearable average temperatures starting in the mid 20’s – in total, this allows for on average 300 days of sunshine a year.  December and January are the worst months for weather in Northern Cyprus, night time temperatures can be very cold, occasionally dropping below freezing in the mountains.  Rainfall when it comes can be very heavy and stormy, and if you’re lucky enough to have a sea view you can watch incredible lightning shows out at sea.

look, snow!

For those travelling with the very young or for the older traveller, March and April are two of the nicest months to visit the island, there are plenty of warm days but you avoid the sometimes oppressive heat of high summer, there are plentyof flowers to look at, the beaches and harbour side cafes are quieter and you’ll find the people all have that little bit extra time to dedicate to making sure you’re having a nice holiday.  For those in search of Winter sunshine you’re better off seeking Autumn or Spring sunshine, as stated December and January are not the best time to visit…yes you do get some warm days and some beautiful blue skies, but you can also get many overcast and even cold days.  If you want a heady mix of long hot days for beach flopping and long warm nights for partying then yes, visit from May to September and you’ll be assured perfect sunny weather in Northern Cyprus – and plenty of fun-packed days and nights.

Because of the island’s location at the maritime crossroads of the eastern Mediterranean basin and its proximity to the Middle East, Cyprus has always been an island of strategic importance, and throughout its 10,000 year known history the island has either profited or suffered depending on which external power bloc controlled it at the time.

The 100 mile long Kyrenia or Girne mountain range, which runs almost parallel to the Northern coastline in North Cyprus, is actually the southernmost mountain range of the Alpine-Himalaya chain in the Eastern Mediterranean.  The mountains are formed from great masses of limestone and they tower over Northern Cyprus and provide the most incredible backdrop to the rest of the island.  More commonly referred to as The Beşparmak (Five Finger) Mountains, they are also home to Northern Cyprus’ famous trio of castles, Kantara (the romantic one), St. Hilarion (the fairy tale one) and Buffavento (the best kept secret).

South of this mountain range, and across which you will drive if you travel from Ercan airport to Girne(Kyrenia) for example, is the Mesaoria plain.  It actually stretches the whole of length of the middle of North Cyprus – from Güzelyurt to Famagusta, with Lefkoşa (Nicosia) sat slap bang in the middle.

Northern Cyprus’ coastline is extremely varied, with stretches of long sandy beaches mainly in the Karpaz region to the east, whilst to the west there are rocky coastal formations with coves and sandy inlets.  There are also two capes, which are strips of land projecting into a body of water, and two gulfs, which are arms of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land and generally larger than a bay.  The capes in North Cyprus are Zafer Cape at the end of the Karpaz peninsula to the east, and Korucam Cape to the west, and the two gulfs are at Famagusta in the east and Guzelyurt to the west.

If you would like to find out more about the geological aspects of Cyprus, including its evolution, information on its natural resources such as acquifers, mineral resources and more then visit this great site Cyprus Geology,  which has been put together with the help of Inter-College in Nicosia and supported by the Bi-communal Development Programme which is funded by USAID (US Aid) and UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and executed by UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services).