In simple terms, Charalambos Theopemptou, former president and member of parliament of the Ecologists’ Movement, explained on the “Alpha Summer” show the reasons why the European Court of Justiceis accusing the Republic of Cyprus of mismanaging the Natura 2000 protected areas. As he said, the European Court of Justice has noted the “vague” boundaries of the areas designated as protected by the relevant government agencies, a fact that acts as a barrier to environmental impact assessments in cases where permits are sought for the construction of buildings.
“They’re putting a stop to anything related to Natura areas right now. And I think that’s right because the court is telling the Republic of Cyprus, ‘Tell me what you’re going to do—what’s your plan and your schedule?’” “And based on that, issue permits. I believe that even the permits issued so far must be suspended because this is a court ruling.”
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Mr. Theopemptou also cited the example of the Akamas development plan, which includes asphalt paving, burying electrical cables underground, and small-scale tourism developments for owners of agricultural plots.
“We have single-family homes, and the Exceptions Council that grants exceptions every so often. We don’t have a sound urban planning authority. However, when a good government decides it wants to protect an area, it must take so many measures that it becomes in the communities’ best interest for their area to be protected.”
READ ALSO: PHOTO: People Set Up Umbrellas and Tents on the Protected Beach at Lara
Regarding the recent incident involving beachgoers who “descended” on the protected beach of Lara with umbrellas and awnings, Mr. Theopemptou emphasized that the citizens’ actions are unacceptable and pointed out the “many disputes” with the Forestry Department, which had been calling for the management of forested beaches to be transferred to local government authorities.
“No one makes you feel like they really care. And especially during this turtle nesting season, the employees took time off. Couldn’t they have arranged for rotating shifts?”
Oinia Deputy Mayor Yagos Tsivikos dismissed reports that the swimmers at Lara Beach are local residents and explained that every year during the summer months, the number of visitors300,000.
At the same time, he noted that environmental organizations speak of the “Middle Ages” when it comes to the management of Cyprus’s environment, yet they overlook the harmonious coexistence of humans and the environment on the Akamas Peninsula from the Middle Ages to the present day.
“The residents were there; the turtles weren’t there; the sea urchins weren’t there. We have a history stretching back thousands of years, during which humans have coexisted with the environment. We were born and raised on these beaches, and 2–3 turtles would come ashore. Now, environmentalists and supporters of the Department of Fisheries have installed and filled the beach with metal nests that I’m sure contain no eggs.”
Mr. Tsivikos spoke of opportunists attempting to drive people away from the area and reiterated the local authorities’ request to the Ministry of the Interior to install umbrellas andsunbeds in the eastern, rocky part of the beach.
“People were there, are there, and will remain there. A solution must be found that allows people, the environment, and the turtles to coexist, and everyone must be protected.”
