Filenews 18 July 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The arbitrary and unlicensed operation of two refreshment facilities within the Natura 2000 protected area on the Akamas Peninsula continues, according to a new complaint sent by the environmental foundation Terra Cypria to the Minister of the Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, calling for the immediate implementation of the legislation.
The two premises, which operate without any environmental approval, planning or building permit, have been installed in the administrative boundaries of the Municipal District of Peyia, in the Municipality of Akamas, Paphos district, in areas with a strict protection regime. The first is located in the location of Aspros Potamos, while the second is located in the Avaka Gorge. Both fall under the Urban Forest Protection Zone and the Urban Nature Protection Regime Z4-PF.
The refreshment area in Aspros Potamos has been installed within the Beach Protection Zone and the Lara – Toxeftra Marine Protected Area, which is the main breeding habitat of the sea turtles Chelonia mydas and Caretta caretta. This area is the only Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) in the whole of Cyprus, which was declared in the framework of the United Nations Environment Programme.
The second refreshment area, in Avakas Gorge, is located in an important nesting area of protected species of birds of prey, such as the Falco peregrinus and the Eagle (Aquila fasciata), within the Special Protection Zone (SPA) of the Akamas Peninsula.
Despite the repeated complaints since March 2025, the refreshments remain in operation. Photographic material recorded on July 15 confirms that the premises continue to serve visitors, without any intervention by the competent authorities.
As Terra Cypria notes, the attitude of the Paphos District Administration and the Paphos District Authority raises reasonable questions. "The tolerance shown does not simply constitute a disregard for environmental and urban planning legislation, but reaches the limits of cover-up and infringes on the principles of good administration and the rule of law," the letter to the Minister of the Interior states.
According to the Ministries' responses, some actions were taken – among others, the complaint of the person in charge of the refreshment bar in Aspros Potamos and the imposition of a fine of €2,000 by the Game and Fauna Service. On-site visits were also made by other services, but the illegality continues. Access to the refreshment area of the Avakas Gorge was not possible due to fencing of the area, while a new on-site investigation is pending.
Terra Cypria calls for clear and immediate instructions from the Minister of the Interior to the competent services to restore legality. At the same time, it requires written information within one month on the actions that will be taken for the dismantling of the illegal premises and the restoration of the natural landscape.
"We cannot talk about nature protection when illegal premises operate without consequences in areas of global ecological importance. Akamas is not a tourist plot to be exploited", notes the Executive Director of Terra Cypria, Koulla Michael.
The issue brings back to the forefront the broader concern for the management and implementation of environmental legislation in Cyprus, especially in areas protected by EU directives and international treaties.
The position of the Ministry of Interior
In a communication with the newspaper, the Ministry of Interior stated its position, attributing responsibility for the imposition of measures to other competent authorities.
As reported, one of the two refreshment areas is not located in a beach protection zone, and therefore the Paphos District Administration does not have the authority to intervene. The competence, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, probably belongs to the Provincial Local Government Organization or to the Municipality itself, which must examine what the relevant legislation provides for the imposition of fines.
The second premises, as it is clarified, is not a permanent construction, but a vehicle, which is periodically moved to different places, thus avoiding sanctions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs points out that it does not have a legal possibility to confiscate the vehicle, but only the accompanying items (tables, chairs). At the same time, it is underlined that the activity can be characterized as illegal street selling, for which the relevant Municipality is responsible for intervening.
The Paphos District Attorney's Office has reportedly given instructions for a new on-site investigation by supervisors of the District Administration, in order to ascertain the exact location and investigate the possibility of a fine being imposed by the Game and Fauna Service.
