Terra Cypria – The Cyprus Conservation Foundation and BirdLife Cyprus express serious concerns about the multiple pressures and threats facing Lady’s Mile Beach on the Akrotiri Peninsula, which endanger this area of high ecological value.

The two environmental organizations emphasize the need for the British Bases Administration to strictly and promptly enforce existing legislation.

According to the organizations, Lady’s Mile Beach is of great environmental significance, having been designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the 2007 Nature and Wildlife Decree and a Special Protection Area under the 2008 Wild Birds and Game Decree. Along its coastline, significant and protected natural habitat types of community interest and important populations of rare and threatened plant species listed in the Red Data Book of the Flora of Cyprus can be found.

Furthermore, the sandy beach of Lady’s Mile is an important nesting area for sea turtles, with nests of priority species included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, specifically the globally vulnerable Loggerhead Turtle (*Caretta caretta) and the globally endangered Green Turtle (*Chelonia mydas).

The organizations express concern that the ongoing increase in the number and expansion of areas occupied by sunbeds and umbrellas, the unregulated operation of restaurants, and the unauthorized organization of night events, including music, lights, fires, and torches, raise issues. These activities may lead to the encroachment on sea turtle nesting beaches and increase disturbance for both the turtles and other rare and threatened wildlife and bird species in the area.

While Terra Cypria and BirdLife Cyprus recognize the importance and challenge of balancing beach recreational activities with the obligation to protect nature at Lady’s Mile, they believe that priority should be given to maintaining the ecological integrity of the area, as mandated by existing legislation and the area's protection status.

They call on the British Bases Administration to take immediate measures, including the strict and prompt enforcement of current legislation, ensuring that all facilities (sunbeds and umbrellas) are removed from the beach during nighttime (from 19:00 to 07:00). Additionally, they request that all events be evaluated and authorized in advance.