Filenews 17 October 2024
The road "Baths of Aphrodite – Fontana Amorosa" in the Akamas National Forest Park remains closed from Monday, October 14 until Friday, October 25, according to the Department of Forests.
However, the strong reaction of the organization "Ecological Intervention Friends of Akamas" has been caused by the works being done on the road from the Baths of Aphrodite to Fontana Amorosa, without proper Special Ecological Assessment Studies, as they say.
Specifically, in a statement, they mention them.
It was with great surprise that we watched helplessly from the TV channels the breaking of rocks by a crew under the supervision of the Department of Forests and the Department of Environment, on the road from the Baths of Aphrodite to Fontana Amorosa.
It is noted that, in July 2024, an Ad-hoc Special Ecological Assessment Committee (EDA) chaired by the Department of Environment / Environmental Authority discussed the possibility of carrying out for a length of approximately 500 meters in three areas of the road Baths of Aphrodite – Fontana Amorosa "Preliminary Pavement Normalization Works". Beyond that
- We believe that, due to the fact that this road is located within the Special Area of Conservation Akamas Peninsula – CY4000010 as well as within the Special Protection Area Akamas Peninsula – CY4000023, a Special Ecological Assessment Study (EDA, Appropriate Assessment) should be prepared in accordance with national and European legislation.
In our view, unfortunately, a full EDA has not been drawn up, perhaps considering it to be maintenance work. At this meeting, the views of the Members and other Experts who participated were discussed. These positions were subsequently submitted to the Commission in writing. Subsequently, and instead of these views being evaluated collectively and substantiated by the Members of the Committee, the Environmental Authority prepared an "Evaluation Report" which includes conclusions and decisions to implement the work.
2. During the above meeting of the Committee, the implementation of the binding condition of the EDA for the Sustainable Development Plan of the Akamas National Forest Park and the essential condition of the Strategic Environmental Impact Study Opinion (2021), which concerns the restriction of movement on this road, where it is noted that the movement of private vehicles, including ATVs, will be prohibited, was not examined at the same time.
3. We also mention that according to the Regulatory Administrative Act 114/89 on the basis of the Town and Country Planning Law, the wider area which includes the above road is governed by a relevant Conservation Decree. According to this Administrative Act, "the Minister of the Interior orders that from the date of publication of the Decree (17/May/1989), no alteration of the natural environment shall be carried out or building work shall be carried out in the area mentioned in the attached Annex which is of special interest, character and natural beauty ...... except and only with the consent of the Minister and on such terms as shall be specified therein."
ECOLOGICAL INTERVENTION FRIENDS OF AKAMAS
