New antenna "will have minimal impact" on Akrotiri wildlife

THE BRITISH bases (SBA) in Akrotiri yesterday admitted that the construction of their powerful new PLUTO antenna “will have a minimal impact on the main species of conservation concern in the area”.

In a news release, the SBA said a series of ornithological surveys into the potential effect of the Akrotiri antenna on resident and migrating bird populations were carried out jointly with the Republic in the past year, as part of Britain’s commitments as set out in the Joint Statement agreed between the UK and Cyprus in August, 2001.

The reports concluded that the construction of the antenna would have a minimal impact on the main species of conservation at Akrotiri, namely the Demoiselle Crane and Greater Flamingo.

“No species of global importance were found during the mortality trials, and other species that were found did not occur in nationally or internationally important numbers,” the SBA said.

“Nevertheless it recognises that there is potential for an increase in mortality compared to current levels.”

The SBA said that in order to minimise these rates, an series of measures were being implemented.

“The measures include lighting the antennae at night to prevent bird collisions, brightly coloured plastic sleeves and lozenge-shaped markers on guy wires to make them more visible to birds, and further studies will be made into the effects of nearby trees on the flight patterns of the birds,” the statement said.

The SBA insisted that such measures had a succesful track record around the world and would further reduce the impact of the new antenna on bird movements.
The start of groundwork for the 100-metre high antenna sparked anti-bases rioting at the Akrotiri salt lake mast site and at the Episkopi SBA police station in July, 2001. Almost 50 people were hurt in clashes which followed protests against a mast which locals fear will give them cancer.Nicosia and London have since had a series of meetings aimed at arriving at a consensus over the impact of the new antenna. Britain insists the mast is harmless but has also vowed to shelve the antenna plans if an adverse health affect is shown.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.