Filenews 2 April 2021 - by Despina Psyllaou
Bed mattresses, broken electrical appliances, chairs, armchairs, sofas, car and truck tyres, suitcases, garbage bags, crates, plastic bottles, fabrics, children's toys and even buckets for the sea along with dozens of other objects are stacked and spread out in the countryside, in mountainous and coastal areas of Cyprus.
The situation is denounced by a group of citizens, who point out that beauty spots have been arbitrarily turned into garbage dumps and dumps of all kinds of waste, while also referring to the problem of uncontrolled garbage dumping in forests, rivers, mountains, fields and beaches.
The above, together with photographs, are included in a letter from this group on 23 March 2021, which is forwarded to the Minister of Agriculture, the Commissioner for the Environment, the Director of the Department of the Environment and the Department of Forestry, to all Members, all mayors and community leaders. At the same time, it is submitting a resolution with more than 300 signatures, demanding effective and immediate action.
"It is with great concern and indignation that we write to you on this subject," the letter notes, adding: "It is with regret that we note that the associated problem of illegal garbage dumps and landfills, as well as the mentality of many ruthlessly insisting on dumping their garbage anywhere, not only does not improve but, on the contrary, is getting worse."
"We conclude that the current sad situation demonstrates the inadequacy of the action plan and management of the issue or even the inability of the competent bodies to implement it," it stressed. "The result of this inefficiency is the continuous and increasing degradation of urban areas and the natural environment, with serious and directly related to public health, ecosystem health and, more generally, the quality of life of citizens."
This very serious problem needs immediate and drastic intervention by the State, it is stressed. This is in order to achieve a reversal of the present unpleasant reality by managing and cleaning up all the problem points. At the same time, however, also to deter the offenders, who are currently breaking the law undisturbed, in order not to continue to pollute the environment and the lives of all of us.
"We call on you to rise to the occasion on an issue that is beyond doubt, crucial and the need to resolve the imperative. As citizens we have the right to a healthier and more dignified living. We hope for your positive response," the letter concludes.
Over 300 people sign resolution
An appeal to the relevant bodies to find a solution to the problem of illegal garbage dumps and landfills is signed by more than 300 citizens. "Our forests, rivers, mountains, coasts and seas have become garbage dumps. Each point is a possible future garbage dump, since it turns out de facto that there is no plan to deter the offenders. Every next day of tolerance and indifference is another wound to the environment and to the health of all of us since tens of tons of all kinds of waste are stacked in illegal garbage dumps and dumps of shame," he noted.
At the same time, they demand that the relevant bodies intervene and act immediately and effectively, as "the sad and tragic dimension of the problem does not allow for reassurance and postponement. We demand this because we are entitled to it as citizens of a state that wants to be called modern and European and that should understand the importance of a clean environment for the health and quality of life of its citizens."
