The Federation of Environmental Organizations in a written statement.
It calls for immediate and strict enforcement of the relevant legislation and raises questions about the adequacy of the inspections carried out by the competent government agencies.
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SEE ALSO: PHOTO: People set up umbrellas and awnings on the protected beach of Lara
Read the statement:
“The Federation of Environmental Organizations of Cyprus (OPOK) expresses its deep indignation and concern over the new violations recorded in the protected area of Lara, in Akamas.
Beachgoers set up umbrellas and tents on Lara Beach, despite the clear prohibitions in effect during the sea turtle nesting and hatching season.
It should be noted that, from June 1 through September 30 of each year, within the Lara-Toxeftra protected area, it is prohibited, among other things, to set up umbrellas, beds, tents, RVs, or any other similar structures. It is also prohibited to remain on the beach at night, starting one hour before sunset, as well as to fish by any means, with the exception of rod fishing from the shore.
The images and information that have come to light are inconsistent with an area under strict protection. On the contrary, they raise reasonable and serious questions:
- How was it possible for the regulations to be violated, despite the patrols that had taken place beforehand?
- How frequent and effective are the inspections?
- What measures are taken when violations are detected?
- Are the prescribed penalties enforced, or does protection amount to nothing more than recommendations and public awareness campaigns?
Lara is not just another beach to be “exploited.” It is one of the most important breeding habitats for the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in Cyprus and the Mediterranean.
The Lara-Toxeftra area has been protected since 1989 under the Fisheries Law and related regulations; it is included in the European Natura 2000 network and, since 2013, in the List of Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI).
Its protection is not an optional policy choice, nor can it depend on the sensitivity of visitors or be limited to the presence of informational signs.
OPOK calls on the Government, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, the Department of the Environment, the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment, the Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Welfare, and every relevant institution to take immediate, substantive action and implement effective controls.
We demand:
- An immediate and thorough investigation of all alleged violations in the area.
- The immediate removal of any facility or activity that is not provided for or permitted by law.
- Strict enforcement of all measures to protect the area.
- Assigning responsibility in cases where omissions or inadequacies are found in the conduct of monitoring.
- Continuous and effective monitoring of the area, particularly during the sea turtle breeding and nesting season.
- Strengthening the presence of authorized officials in the area so that enforcement of regulations does not depend solely on complaints from citizens.
- To fully inform the public about the inspections conducted, the violations identified, and the measures taken.
The State cannot enact protective regulations, designate an area as protected, and at the same time fail to prevent or effectively address practices that degrade it.
This is not substantive protection.
OPOK warns that tolerance of violations sets an extremely dangerous precedent, not only for Lara and Akamas, but for all protected areas in Cyprus.
We call on the government to do what it is obligated to do now: to enforce the law with equal rigor against everyone, without exceptions and without compromising environmental protection. Because when illegal activity is tolerated in a protected area, the problem is no longer limited to Lara.
It concerns the credibility of environmental policy and the rule of law itself.
Lara must be protected, and the measures to protect it must be implemented in practice—not just remain on paper.”
