Filenews 26 August 2025 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The Municipality of Akamas and the Department of the Environment are on a collision course, after the realization of an event last Saturday and the announcement of a new event next Friday, without the required environmental approval by law.
The organization of an outdoor event, with sound and lighting, in and near areas of the Natura 2000 network and the Beach Protection Zone, has caused strong reactions from state authorities, environmental organizations and the general public.
According to information from "F", the director of the Department of Environment, Theodoulos Mesimeris, will announce today during a meeting at the Department's offices in Paphos, the decision to prepare a report of events and submit it to the Legal Service for possible legal measures against the Municipality of Akamas. Representatives of the Department of Environment have been invited to attend the meeting Paphos District Authority, the Paphos District Administration, the Department of Forestry, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, as well as the Game and Fauna Service.
Furthermore, the Environmental Authority will call on the Municipality of Akamas to immediately proceed with the removal of the platform from the area, as well as the cancellation of a new event that it plans for next Friday, as part of the Carob Festival, in the courtyard of the church of Agios Georgios Peyia, in case it intends to use a platform with sound and lighting equipment.
It is noted that, yesterday, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (FTH) and the Department of Environment, in a joint statement, clarified that "no approval was given" for the placement of a platform and the holding of an event within the areas of the Natura 2000 network Akamas Peninsula and especially the strictly protected nesting beach of the green turtle in "Toxeftra".
According to the announcement, following letters from Terra Cypria dated 21/08/2025 and the Audit Service dated 22/08/2025 about the risk of nuisance of adult turtles and disorientation of newborn turtles, mainly due to lighting, an on-site inspection was immediately carried out, while on 22/08/2025 a relevant letter was sent to the Municipality of Akamas for the termination of the works and the control of legality of construction.
Despite the municipality's non-response, the Departments requested measures to reduce lighting. As noted, the Municipality of Akamas placed protective covers on the platform and the officials of the Departments inspected the site on 23/08/2025. During the evening inspection of "Toxeftra", it was found that "the lighting was not bright" and the measures limited the diffusion of light to the sea.
The next day, the IMF proceeded to a new inspection with experts of the sea turtle protection program and it was found that "no problem was created with the nests in the area".
However, the Departments underline that this case "does not constitute a precedent" and that any event within or near Natura 2000 sites must follow the legal procedures and the prescribed consultations. In this context, the Department of the Environment will immediately convene a meeting with all the stakeholders involved to determine the next steps regarding the relocation of the platform and the non-compliance of the Municipality of Akamas.
The Department of the Environment calls for an immediate cessation of work
With a letter dated August 21, 2025, the Department of the Environment requested the immediate cessation of works in the area where a platform for musical events was placed near the church of Agios Georgios Pegeia. The area is characterized as one of the most environmentally sensitive zones in Cyprus and is home to important and protected species, such as sea turtles, Mediterranean seals and cormorants.
During an on-site visit by officials of the Department, it was found that work has already begun within or within the boundaries of the Special Area of Conservation (SPA) and the Special Protection Zone (SPA), without prior authorization.
The complaint was accompanied by photographic material showing the existence of a platform with lighting and speakers in the courtyard of a restaurant in the "Toxeftra" area, which is located near a strictly protected nesting zone of the green turtle. The Department warns that lighting and noise pollution can cause irreversible damage to ecosystems.
New unlicensed events under consideration
With a letter dated 23/08/2025, the Department of the Environment again requested the non-holding of the planned Carob Festival (29/8), if it includes the use of a platform, lighting and speakers, if the necessary permits are not secured and a Special Ecological Assessment (EIA) is not carried out, as provided for by environmental legislation.
Complaints from the Audit Office and environmental organisations
The intensity of the issue is reinforced by a complaint by the Audit Service, which on August 22 sent relevant photographic material to the Department of the Environment, pointing out the illegal installations in private space, in and near protected areas of the Natura 2000 network.
Similar complaints have been filed by environmental organizations, which speak of "very serious and irreversible" impacts on biodiversity. The organisations call for the immediate suspension of activities, inviting the competent authorities to clarify whether the necessary opinions have been requested from the co-competent authorities and whether these activities have been subject to the envisaged EDA procedure.
What does the Municipality of Akamas answer
For his part, the mayor of Akamas, Marinos Lambrou, assures that the required audio licenses have been secured for the two events, adding that the first was for a private event on August 23 and the second for the Carob Festival on August 29. Further, he notes that Saturday's concert did not create a problem with turtle nests in the area. As he said, "the festival is organized for one evening, for a few hours, and for so many years the nesting of turtles, which has increased sharply, has never been affected." He stressed that "the events in Agios Georgios Peyia will continue normally".
At the same time, he underlined that "if any observation is made by the Department of Environment or the Department of Fisheries, it will be taken into account, as it was taken for Saturday night."
Mr. Lambrou described it as "absurd" to consider that the lights of the events affect the nesting of turtles in "Toxeftra". He also added that on Saturday evening "officials of the Department of Environment and the Department of Fisheries went to the area who, after an inspection they carried out, found that the organization did not create a problem with the nests in the area".
