Filenews 1 April 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
At the same time that a third illegal café sprouted up in the Akamas Peninsula, the president of the Paphos EOA, Charalambos Pittokopitis, in his statements, said that measures are being taken to remove one of the cafés, while for the second efforts are being made to legalize it, in cooperation with the Municipality of Akamas, if possible. It is noted that for the first refreshment bar near the White River, a deadline was given for its removal, which expired last Wednesday. It is noted that in addition to the Paphos EOA, the Paphos District Administration is also responsible for the removal of this refreshment area, since it is located within the Beach Protection Zone.
In relation to the refreshment bar in the Avakas Gorge, Mr. Pittokopitis said that it is a tent set up by a farmer to sell his products, therefore it is not an illegal construction. He explained that he is in contact with the Mayor of the Akamas Municipality in an effort to find a way to legalize the premises.
It is noted that both refreshments are located on ecclesiastical land, which belongs to the Metropolis of Paphos. For both cases, the Department of the Environment has sent letters to the EDA of Paphos and the District Governor of Paphos for their removal.
According to the Department of the Environment, within the framework of its responsibilities, it has identified from the very first moment the two premises (refreshment rooms), which are located within the areas of the Natura 2000 Network, Special Conservation Zone and Special Protection Zone of the Akamas Peninsula, in private plots of ecclesiastical property (Metropolis of Paphos), near the Avaka Gorge and the Lara – Toxeftra Marine Protected Area. It has already, he notes, sent two letters to both the Municipality of Akamas and the EDA of Paphos for their immediate removal in the context of the implementation and enforcement of the current legislation.
The Department of the Environment calls on these authorities to proceed immediately with the removal of illegalities, since their removal does not fall within its competence, while the delay implies tolerance and gives the right to illegals to speculate at the expense of the application of legality, but also of the natural environment.
