The issue of the beach of Lara is raised by the MP of the ALMA Movement, Irini Charalambidou, by submitting 10 questions to the Minister of Environment and registering the issue in the competent committee of the Parliament.
Among other things, Ms. Charalambidou asks for specific data on the way in which Natura 2000 areas are currently monitored, the staff and services involved, but also the number of on-site inspections and violations recorded in recent years.In addition, it asks to know whether modern technological means, such as satellite data and drones, are used for the early detection of illegal interventions, as well as what special measures are taken in high-risk areas, such as Lara during the summer months.
This is the letter of Irini Charalambidou:
Following the recent events on the beach of Lara, the need for effective implementation of protection measures and prevention of illegal or harmful interventions within the protected areas has emerged. On the basis of these data, I have sent 10 questions to the Competent Minister.
At the same time, I have submitted an issue for registration to the competent Parliamentary Committee.
The questions are listed in full:
What specific mechanism is currently used to systematically supervise and monitor Natura 2000 sites?
Which competent services are involved and how many people are employed for this purpose per service and province?
How many on-site inspections were carried out in Natura 2000 areas in the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and until today in 2026, per area and competent authority?
How many violations or illegal interventions were found during the above period within Natura 2000 areas and what was their nature, e.g. illegal building or other developments, land reclamation, waste dumping, road opening, interventions in habitats or other activities?
For the above violations, how many complaints, administrative procedures or other enforcement actions were taken and what sanctions were imposed?
What technical means are used to monitor protected areas? Are technological means such as satellite data, drones or other remote monitoring systems being used to detect intrusions early?
What measures are being taken to monitor areas such as Lara beach where the risk of violations in the summer is high?
For how many Natura 2000 sites are management plans still pending?
For which areas have the Natura 2000 management plans been drawn up and to what extent have the planned measures and actions been implemented per area?
Is there a mechanism for evaluating the effectiveness of these measures and, if so, what are the results of the latest evaluation for these areas?
Are there Natura 2000 sites for which the competent authorities have identified habitat degradation or a deterioration in the conservation status of protected species?
If so, what are they, what are the causes of the degradation and what corrective or remedial measures have been taken or are planned?
What are the latest developments regarding the illegal construction of a church in Cape Greco and what measures has the ministry taken to remove the illegality?
Is there any planning to strengthen the monitoring and enforcement mechanisms in Natura 2000 sites, either through additional staff or through new technological means and more systematic on-the-spot checks, and what is the timetable for this?
