08.08.2022
Recently, there has been a huge ecological catastrophe at the expense of one of the most important wetlands in the Eastern Mediterranean. We are talking about the destruction of the Akrotiri salt lake, a lake that is under the auspices of the Ramsar Convention and is considered a protected area.
Large developments recorded in the last two years north of Aliki Akrotiri seem to be disturbing the water balance, with the result that Aliki, instead of drying up in the summer months, is now saturated with fresh water, which even reaches the first houses about the community of Akrotiri.
The consequences for the environment and wetlands appear to be enormous, and if not addressed immediately, the area risks becoming a vast swamp. However, land management entrepreneurs will also have problems, as there is a possibility of soil being moved due to water, while the second Pissouri registered in the area can be seen in the area.
“F” attempts to shed light on concerns recently raised by environmental organizations, Akrotiri and Zakaki community councils, and the Environmental Movement.
Building drainages ended up in Aliki
The problem has been identified, as a competent person told us, since the start of the first work and the construction of large complexes, as well as in the area next to the casino resort. The excavations were carried out on a large scale and it was necessary to drain the water that had come to the surface. Despite the fact that retention ponds were created, where the water was directed, due to the large volume, overflow occurred, as a result of which the water entered Aliki at a much higher speed – a stream.
The Akrotiri salt lake was badly damaged by the drainage made in the development plan. Worth mentioning is the fact that under normal conditions Aliki should have drained the salt water during September, however this does not seem to happen as it is still covered by a large volume of water.
The problem, as identified by the residents of the Akrotiri community, is even greater, as groundwater and the muddy water that Aliki receives because it does not dry out have reached the first houses of the community and corrosion is observed.
The concern is further heightened as about 500 more residences will be built in the area near the casino resort, as well as other large developments of 20 or more floors are planned. If measures are not taken to solve the problem of the aquifer, there will be another huge volume of fresh water in Aliki and its environs.
The region, Alkis Papis, vice-president of the Ecological Movement, says in F, is endangered, especially the Akrotiri salt lake. He also notes that the high volume of events observed in the north and south of the area will lead to huge impacts and changes in the environment and wetlands.
Unprecedented differentiation
Called to take a stand on the issue of the destruction of the Akrotiri salt lake, Limassol Mayor Nikos Nikolaidis and President of SALA argued in their ‘F’ statements that there is an unprecedented environmental differentiation that is being caused by the area’s huge development.
“This unprecedented environmental intervention must be valued as the environment is inevitably at risk, as is Aliki. We, as institutions and society, must take action after studying and evaluating the whole situation. The state must take immediate measures to prevent some negative phenomena.”
He was quick to point out that there are several factors affecting the ecosystem and immediate solutions need to be found once time is running out.
Immediate compilation of a strategic study
Asked for his position on this issue, he noted that the State should draw up a Strategic Environmental Impact Study that would cumulatively assess the impact of all developments under construction or planned for implementation in the area. “Our position as the Environmental Movement is that this Strategic Study should be. The competent authority to carry out this study is the State, in particular the Department of the Environment and the Department of City Planning. They must be transferred to a separate house and must be paid by investors,” he said.
He explained that the environmental impact of the major response package is much greater. “For such large-scale projects, there should be this Strategic Study not only for the Zakaki and Akrotiri area, but also for the large developments registered on the coast of Limassol.” He even added that it is necessary to listen to environmental organizations that are active in the area and have been fighting for the protection of wetlands for many years.
Mr. Papis stressed that Aliki has undergone major changes due to two major developments, a casino and a hotel, while the entire area will be changed as bird life changes and wetlands are threatened with extinction in the next decade. . Huge developments, combined with deforestation and land use change, are putting huge tracts of land from the Fassouri area to Akrotiri at risk of becoming a swamp, Mr. Papis said.
This was reported to “F” by the councilor of the Akrotiri community, Kostas Evripidou, who stated that a huge environmental crime was taking place. “The ecological system of Aliki has changed, freshwater fish now dominated. “In addition, Australian reeds have started to spread very quickly in Lake Markia,” he said.
He also mentioned that the aquifer had overflowed, causing water to reach the first houses, stressing that the SALA pipeline was also supplying fresh water. “The whole thing represents a big environmental disaster with the grace of the government and the state.”
State intervention required
The issue of water management in the Aliki Akrotiri area was raised on Thursday (08.04) at a meeting at the SALA office chaired by SALA President and Limassol Mayor Nikos Nikolaidis, at the request of Akrotiri President. Public Council. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Provincial Administration, Public Works Department, Environment Department, British Bases, Akrotiri and Zakaki Community Councils, Environmental Movement, Merra Zakaki Administrative Committee and Winter Limassol. Swimming club.
During the meeting, it was decided to request the Ministry of Transportation to immediately update the Study, including current and future major developments in the area, which are expected to disrupt the water balance of Aliki both during their construction phase and during their operation.
