Filenews 5 March 2021 - by Angelos Nikolaou
Reactions are caused by the decision of the competent authorities to change their attitude on the issue of the creation of organized beaches of bathers in the communities of Argakas and Gilia, without actually entertaining the initial concerns they have expressed about being within the area of the Network Ntura 2000 "Polis – Gilia".
The area joined the network due to the existence of important habitats and species of fauna and flora, which are in need of protection and are of Community interest, such as the Caretta Caretta sea turtles.
The ACPL called on the Anastasiades-DISY Government to act immediately by protecting such important habitats of our country unless, it notes, if the service of interests outweighs the drift of our country to the European courts.
"It is with great wonder that we are monitoring the changes in decisions of the competent departments regarding the approval of the creation of organized beaches in areas of protection of sea turtle spawning. THE, while initially rejecting this application, seems to have changed its mind and finally accepted the creation of organized beaches in the communities of Argakas and Galias under strict conditions as it explains and awaits the views of the Environment Department", notes ACPL.
According to the ACPL, only last November the EU called on Cyprus to complete its network of protected areas, and had given us a two-month ultimatum to rectify the situation. "Today instead of completing as a State the network in summary procedures destroys it," he adds.
For its part, the Ecologists' Movement states that the creation of beaches on turtle beaches is done with the "blessings" of the Department of Forests and THE.
"Environmental crimes on Natura2000 beaches seem to be not over, as the curious decision of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research to create organized beaches in two protected areas and breeding habitats of the Caretta Caretta sea turtle on beaches in Argaka and Galia is added to the list of crimes," he notes. According to the Ecologists "unfortunately with this development once again the competent authorities and the Government prove that environmental issues are second to none. The intervention in the natural environment of turtles, as well as the noise created by the crowds, will cause irreparable damage for the turtles,", they stress. Ecologists find it inconceivable that these two projects have not even undergone a specific environmental – ecological study to assess the impact of the creation of beaches.
And from Dept of Fisheries:
A communication was made by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (TTHE), in relation to publications and announcements on the creation of a community beach in the communities of Argakas and Galia.
This is followed by the announcement:
The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (TTHE) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, expresses its displeasure, in relation to a publication on 4.3.2021, under the title "Organized beaches on turtle beaches", with the announcements that followed from political parties and with the attempt at misplaced misinformation on the subject.
In order to restore the correct information to the public, in relation to the creation of two mild form of organized beaches in Argaka and Yalia, TTHE wishes to clarify the following:
The area "Polis-Galia" was integrated into the Natura 2000 Network because it is, among other things, an important breeding habitat of the Carettacaretta sea turtle. According to the Management Plan drawn up in 2009-2012 for this area, it is proposed to create a community beach in the communities of Argakas and Galia, with specific terms and conditions. This provision is a management measure to ensure that turtle nesting habitats are protected from uncontrolled use and exploitation of beaches in an area with a coastline area of about 12 km, which is under pressure due to wider coastal development.
Within this framework, since 2012, in cooperation with the Community Council of Argakas and other competent services of the State, has made a proposal for the location of the proposed beach, after examination of three alternative beaches, taking into account the nesting density of turtles, man-made pressures such as the coastal road, residential development, lighting, etc., so that the location and operation of the proposed beach has the least possible impact on the site.
Furthermore, the TTHE has determined from the outset that any beach plan submitted should have the least potential intervention in the area and will be governed by strict conditions and restrictions, such as the withdrawal of sea beds from the beach, from sunset to sunrise, so as not to interfere with any nesting activity during the night. , the ban on motorsports, the absence of lighting on the beach from 1 May to the end of September, the installation of protective cages in case nests are found, etc.
Since then, the communities have proceeded with the necessary institutional procedures to ensure the necessary approvals, including the lease of state land and the preparation of plans for the use of beaches, with a view to approving the creation of two small organized beaches in Argaka and Galia, taking into account the protection status of the area.
Over time, THTE was positive in the creation of the two mild form of organized beaches in the communities of Argakas and Galia, based on the Management Plan of the region, in order to cope with the anthropogenic pressure from the unregulated use of the beaches and minimize the nuisance in the protected area of the Natura 2000 Polis-Galia network. A prerequisite for obtaining the assent of the TTHE for the creation of these beaches was and continues to be as follows: the plan for the use of a beach should be in accordance with the protection regime of the area, i.e. be of a mild form, with minimal infrastructure. To this end, the TTHE did not accept projects which did not in accordance with that principle.
Therefore, any references to the reports of changes in decisions of the competent Departments and that TTHE, while initially rejecting this application, seems to have changed its mind and finally accepted the creation of organized beaches in the communities of Argakas and Galia under strict conditions, are misplaced and do not correspond to reality.
