Description
The Amiantos asbestos mine closed down in 1988 is located within a Natura 2000 site in the Troodos National Forest Park. Rehabilitation of the area started in 1996 and is estimated to take up to 40 years. Reforesting the site and revitalising the area is needed to make this part of the National Park less hazardous for the local population to live in (now close to an open pitch Asbestos mine) and more attractive for tourists to visit. The project will contribute to halting the loss of biodiversity at the site by improving mine restoration and management practices. Enhanced capacity and know-how in restoration procedures, health and safety standards and conservation techniques will ensure more effective management of the Natura 2000 site. Improving the surrounding landscape will also make the site more attractive for visitors. Target Groups: entire society of Cyprus, inhabitants of the local communities, the Department of Forests and professionals in mine restoration and scientists
Summary of project results
The objective of the project was to contribute to halting loss of biodiversity through improvement of restoration and management practices in the Amiantos asbestos mine, considering that the area is part of a National Forest Park, of a Natura 2000 site and a major part of the most valuable mountain landscape of Cyprus. The ultimate aim was to improve restoration practices, in terms of efficiency and conformity to EU Directives and to broaden their scope to sufficiently address biodiversity conservation and landscape improvement aspects. Restoration works in the mine began in 1995 and continued for 18 years till the commencement of the project. Gradually it was realised that this very costly operation could be done better that is, more effectively and by introducing biodiversity and landscape considerations in the restoration process. For that we needed evaluation of the techniques used by experts, staff training and standardisation of new methods through relevant guides. These objectives were achieved through invitation of experts who evaluated the techniques used and put forward proposals for improvement that were incorporated in the guides prepared. In addition the pilot actions implemented concerning invasive species removal, application of the new restoration methods, actions for wildlife conservation and landscape improvement contributed to the achievement of the project’s objectives. The main outputs from the main activities were: - Acquisition of equipment - wildlife conservation in the mine - Construction of an artificial pond in the mine’s crater - Planting hygrophilous trees near the pond - Construction of an islet in the center of the pond - Restoration of mine wastes - Laying topsoil - Planting native trees forming habitat types - Sowing of indigenous plants seeds, Hydro seeding - Removal of invasive woody plants - Staff training on restoration, hydroseeding, biodiversity conservation in mine restoration, safety measures - Production of guides on mine restoration, on the control of invasive plant species - Construction of circular walkway around the pond and Paving the road near the pond - Production of two documentaries for the mine The main achievements of the project were: the Introduction of wildlife considerations and implementation of wildlife conservation measures in restoration of mines and quarries, Standardisation of methods for restoration, hydroseeding and control of invasive species
Summary of bilateral results