Filenews 10 December 2025
BirdLife Cyprus warns of a serious and ongoing ecological crisis in the Akrotiri wetlands, and calls on the State to immediately provide clear answers to the ongoing water inflows and indications of pollution recorded in the area. The situation, as it states in a statement, is not only an environmental issue with possible violations of European and international obligations but also a public health issue.
Despite the strict protection regime of the Akrotiri Salt Lake, BirdLife Cyprus' recent on-site visits to the site on 7, 11 and 24 November 2025 revealed "extensive amounts of water in a period of complete drought, stagnant water with a strong stench and full rainwater drains without prior rainfall. In various places, water outflows from construction sites and developments were recorded, seriously disturbing the hydrological status of the wetlands and their natural processes."
The picture, it is added, is burdened by water quality measurements that show "increased concentrations of the bacterium E. coli in some parts of the area where samples were taken from the British Bases, while the strong stench and the presence of questionable quality of stagnant water raise reasonable questions about possible inflows of polluted water. The situation does not only concern ecosystems but also public health."
"The dramatic reduction of the flamingo population to historically low levels is a clear indication of the deterioration of water quality in Alyki. In January 2025, only about 30 flamingos were recorded in the Akrotiri Salt Lake, the lowest number since 1992, when systematic recordings began, while on average about 3800 flamingos are counted each year," it is noted.
BirdLife Cyprus has already sent two official letters – on April 4 and December 1, 2025 – to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr. Maria Panagiotou, and the Minister of Interior, Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, asking for clarifications and data. At the same time, he filed a complaint with the Department of Environment for an incident of water discharge from a construction site. However, he clarifies, no clear answers have been given on critical issues, nor have any substantial measures been taken to prevent the influx of pollution into wetlands.
"The organization's latest letter to the competent Ministers emphasizes that the extensive tourist, residential and commercial developments of recent years – with great soil sealing and increased drainage needs – seem to have changed the hydrological balance of the river basin and by extension of the Salt Lake. Uncontrolled discharges of water from construction sites into stormwater systems must be investigated immediately."
BirdLife Cyprus asks the State to respond publicly:
• what is the origin of the abnormal water inflows recorded in Aliki and Lake Makria,
• which water pumping, drainage and discharge licenses have been issued and to whom,
• if connections of construction sites or developments with the rainwater culvert network have been approved,
• and whether the legally binding environmental terms of projects that have been implemented or are under construction are complied with.
"In addition to the investigation, targeted restoration measures are also required to restore the natural hydrology and water quality of the Salt Lake, in accordance with the obligations of the Republic of Cyprus under the Water Framework Directive. Without such measures, the situation will continue to deteriorate with unpredictable consequences for this sensitive ecosystem.
Akrotiri Salt Lake presents a picture of serious environmental degradation that can no longer be ignored. The water that flows in without rain, the stench and the decline in the number of flamingos are clear signs that the ecosystem is in crisis," says Melpo Apostolidou, Director of BirdLife Cyprus. "The relevant services have a responsibility to provide immediate answers and solutions and to ensure that all developments comply with the terms of their environmental permits. We need full investigation, transparency and disclosure of data and immediate remedial measures."
BirdLife Cyprus also calls on the relevant Ministers to ensure the participation of environmental organizations in the newly established technical committee for the Akrotiri Salt Lake, so that the decision-making process is based on transparency and scientific data and with the involvement of all stakeholders.
