Filenews 22 March 2021 - by Dora Christodoulou
It has already been 15 years since the efforts of the peninsula's operators began to modify the Local Plan for the Akamas region and finally blow an air of development and prosperity in this remote region of Cyprus. This is highlighted by the organization of the communities of the peninsula, Community Action Akamas, pointing out that for many decades the communities of Akamas have been on the ventilator, waiting for the rulers to listen to the real needs of the region and to "read" behind the well-known and digestible slogans on the walls and banners of the environmentalists.
"Akamas, in addition to its wondrous fauna and flora, is also its people, who live on its outskirts," he points out. "In fact, Akamas' needs are not only for the protection of the environment but also for the protection of human life, which, instead of flourishing and progressing, is fading away.
The communities of Akamas face a serious population and demographic problem, gradually heading into complete desolation. The statistics reflect the magnitude of the problem, since the population of the seven communities of Akamas (Inia, Neo Chorio, Drousia, Arodes, Kato Arodes, Androlykos, Kathikes) according to the 1976 census, was 2527, while in the 2011 census only 1498 inhabitants were recorded, i.e. there was a 41% decrease in the population".
There is no doubt that the next census will record a further decline in population in the region, the organization argues, saying typically that 52 deaths have been recorded in the last eight years and only seven births in the New Village. The population of the communities is ageing and slowly dying, he observes, with the new generation forced to abandon Akamas so that they can live decently in the major urban centres.
"We often hear, from people who do not come from and do not live in the area of Akamas, who may never have visited him, the slogan "hands off Akamas", it is also stressed. " Because Akamas is our home, our most precious legacy, which we have managed to protect for many years.
What most people have not yet realized is that we, the inhabitants of the area, grew up in the forest of Akamas and there we raised our children. We've protected Akamas all these years, and we're going to continue to protect him. We are not trying to "cement" Akamas, but to find the right balance and balance, so that we can survive and preserve the customs and customs of our country, but at the same time continue to protect its natural beauty."
The people and authorities of Akamas, the Community Action concludes, consider that the only appropriate way to achieve human-environmental cooperation is mild and sustainable development. The Akamas Local Plan under preparation should include specific provisions that will ensure the protection of the environment, but at the same time take into account the well-being of local residents, he says.
