The competent authorities for the community of Trozena Gerovasa have been put on alert, as the Department of Environment intervenes after the detection of extensive illegal construction works within the protected area of the Natura 2000 network "Ha Potami".
In an urgent letter to the District Local Government Organization (EOA) of Limassol, dated May 14, 2026, the Department of Environment refers to a series of developments that are being implemented without the required permits.
According to what is stated in the letter, in the period 2023 – 2025, six separate requests were submitted for projects such as: Private parking with fencing, café, detached house with office and gym, winery with additions and conversions to existing buildings, metal fencing with construction of dry stone walls, creation of a nature trail.
However, an on-site inspection conducted on May 11, 2026, revealed a very different picture. The officials found that the construction works are already at an advanced stage, while some projects, such as a restaurant/café and reception area, have already been completed before the necessary permits are granted. At the same time, in most cases, the above interventions concern extensive levelling and clearing of low local vegetation, in an area that falls within the area of the Natura 2000 network "Ha Potami".
In the letter, the deputy director of the Department of Environment, Elena Stylianopoulou, sets specific conditions in order to continue the examination of the projects:
– The HOC is called upon to identify all the interventions so that they can be examined as a whole and cumulatively in the context of a single Master Plan.
– The EOA is asked to examine the execution of works carried out without a permit and to apply the provisions of the relevant legislation as the competent licensing authority.
The area is considered to be of high environmental importance. For this reason, a meeting of all stakeholders has already been scheduled, in which the Department of Environment will participate, with the aim of addressing the issue as a whole.
The letter has also been communicated to the head of the Game and Fauna Service, as well as to the Limassol Prefect.
