The Integrated Management Plan for the Paphos forest covers an extended area of 60.000 ha at west – northwest hillsides of mountain Troodos, equal at about 50% of public forest land (under the effective control of the Cyprus government). It covers part of Lefkosia, Lemesos and Paphos districts, with oversea height 1352m (Tripilos). The Paphos Forest includes large number of ecosystems and particularly important biotopes and habitats where important and rare vegetation and animals live and are developed. The unique and most important plant society of the Cyprus Cedrus along with the unique population of the Cyprus "Agrino" (moufflon) give to the compact area of the Paphos Forest, huge ecological and environmental value. The Paphos forest is the biggest and most important biotope of Cyprus where rare raptor birds nest. The above mentioned along with the large number of endemic plants and fauna species, hydrologic functions and the geomorphologic formation , create a significant scientific interest for local and foreigners scientists. Regarding the protection regime, the Paphos Forest area is characterized as Special Protection Area (SPA), Important Community Site of NATURA 2000, National Park (12.000ha), Nature Protection Area (5.000ha) and Permanent Forest Area according to forest law. Forest management is conducted under the Department of Forests of Cyprus.

The project "Preparation of an Integrated Management Plan for the Pafos Forest" is a complex task.

Main objective of the project is :

"the improvement of the management of the Pafos Forest and the protection of its biodiversity and functions, through the development and implementation of an Integrated Management Plan”.

In this context, the objective of the project, design of a procedure for the management of the forests and development of specific actions supporting its implementation, is specialised in six activities:

1. Integrated Management Plan for the Pafos Forest.
2. Management Plan for Agrino.
3. Monitoring Plans for 10 predefined flora and fauna species and specific natural habitats.
4. Development and operation of a geographic information system (GIS).
5. Training of personnel
6. Establishment of participatory procedures for the management of state forests.
 

These activities are complex and inter-related, while their implementation serves a basic need of the Department of Forests of Cyprus, i.e. the reinforcement of its capability to manage  Pafos forests, ensuring the parallel protection and promotion of the natural resources of the area.