A serious problem is the detection of large quantities of water with strong odour in at least three places within the wetland of Akrotiri Salt Lake, which is under the umbrella of the Ramsar Convention.

According to the environmental organization Terra Cypria, a strong stench is emerging in the area caused by sewage discharge. As Filenews knows, the first samples of water analyses taken by officers of the Department of Environment, seem to confirm Terra Cypria.

The Akrotiri peninsula is an environmentally sensitive area with special characteristics, which hosts important species of flora and fauna, however, in recent years it has been bombarded daily by pressures. Apart from the nuisance recorded during the summer months and the large quantities of fresh water that Aliki receives, which dramatically change the characteristics of the wetland, now comes another huge problem.

Lately, there has been an unjustified presence and a large amount of water for the standards of the season, with strong stench and signs of eutrophication along the Salt Lake, endangering the wetland.

The photographs obtained by Filenews record the huge environmental damage that is taking place and which is evident. The issue of pollution and contamination of the wetland is now of concern to the Department of Environment as well as all involved state services as well as the authorities of the British Bases.

Asked to comment on the major disaster, the director of the Department of Environment, Lakis Mesimeris, told Filenews that in cooperation with all involved departments of the Republic of Cyprus and the British Bases, joint actions are being taken to identify the problem.

"There are two major sections, recipient and source. It is established that the recipient of these quantities is in a territory falling within the British Bases and the sources may come from territory controlled by the Republic." In relation to the actions that have been taken, he said that all the competent services of the Republic have coordinated with the respective departments of the British Bases.

Research in two directions

"A team of the Department has gone to the scene to investigate the issue and samples have been taken," Mesimeris said, stressing that the results of the first analyses are already available and are being processed. "We are trying to determine the hazard of the result, whether it is indeed sewage and identify the source of the flow in order to enforce and implement the existing legislation. We are also in cooperation with the environmental organization Terra Cypria, which identified the problem and highlighted it. If the samples prove that it is indeed sewage, then we will head in a specific direction, but if it is clear water, then we will look for the person responsible in another direction of the investigations, Mr. Mesimeris stressed.

Urgent need for measures                                                                                                                                                                                                                     On her part, the Executive Director of Terra Cypria, Koulla Michael, speaking to Filenews, said that the organization made an on-site visit to the wetland, where she found that at least 3 points, where there are inflow channels and drainage and rainwater management pipes, there is a large amount of water with a strong sewage stench. "There is a smell of cesspools and especially in one of the two areas where this situation is observed, the plants have melted. It seems that the structure and composition of the water has changed," he said.