The construction of a golf course and other related residential developments in the Natura 2000 Site of Community Importance (SCI) and Special Protection Zone (SPA) National Forest Park (SNC) of Cape Greco, in the Municipalities of Ayia Napa and Paralimni, will not be completed. This decision was taken by the Environmental Authority, after taking into account the Special Ecological Assessment Study in the protected areas, as well as the Environmental Impact Assessment Study (MEEP), where it was found that the project promotion will have serious, negative and irreversible consequences. natural environment.
According to the Environmental Authority, the proposed project is expected to be the largest development in area and density within the Natura 2000 Protected Areas at the Cape Greco SAR. Specifically, the project occupies 6% of the land area of the protected area, of which approximately 45-50% is an invisible habitat and mixed invisible habitat with masses, while 7,05% is the priority habitat Mediterranean seasonal lakes (its area habitat is likely to be larger).
"The project cannot be implemented" according to the environmental opinion, since "possible implementation and operation of the golf course within the protected area and related tourist developments will have significant negative irreversible effects on conservation and protection objectives, cohesion, structure and habitat, habitat and wildlife species (flora and fauna) ”.
The effects are mainly due to the character and size of the project, which is located entirely within (center) of the protected area, in an area with wild natural vegetation (mainly invisible), resulting in a negative impact on the natural environment and wildlife. It is noted that the possible implementation of the proposed development in the area will create additional pressures due to land use change, the opening of roads and other infrastructure (electricity, water supply, road network, etc.), which will cause additional cumulative negative effects on both homes and in species. In addition, it is noted that these tourism developments, which are proposed, in connection with the creation of the golf course, are adjacent to the protected area, and which are expected to cause additional cumulative pressures.
The proposed project concerns an 18-hole golf course, ancillary facilities (members' club, parking lots, stadium maintenance, etc.), other related tourist, commercial and residential developments (luxury 5 * hotel unit, multipurpose hall, shops, housing units in integrated development) and other necessary infrastructure (such as road network, green spaces, landscaping, etc.).
The golf course and ancillary facilities are located within the Natura 2000 Protected Areas in the Cape Greco SAR, which are designated in accordance with the Nature Directives (92/43 / EEC and 2009/147 / EC), while the other related tourist, commercial and housing development are adjacent to the north and east of the protected area. The total land for development that will occupy the proposed project amounts to 1.037.628 sq.m., of which 590.000 sq.m. Leased state forest land within the Natura 2000 protected area of Cape Greco (golf course, members club, maintenance area), 139.479 sq.m. leased state Halit land and 308.149 sq.m. private land (other related tourist facilities).
Impacts during construction and operation of the project include clearing, leveling, earthworks, landscape alteration, hydrological changes, use of fertilizers and plant protection products and habitat fragmentation. In addition, the project is expected to bring a burden of chemicals, nuisance (noise and light pollution), land use change and landscape morphology, soil and water resources deterioration.
The proposed project is the largest in extent and density development within and within the boundaries of the protected area of Cape Greco. Agricultural and tourist activities are recorded in the surrounding area.
Alternative solution
Reportedly, a negative response to golf within the Natura 2000 Protected Area does not mean the cancellation of the project elsewhere in the same area. It is recalled that during the inauguration of the Famagusta Police Department in Paralimni, the President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis, stated that "the problems of delay are due to environmental reasons, but two specific areas have been proposed, which are superior to the current area where it would be built. "Thus, I believe that the interested entrepreneurs, the municipality, but also the state, in cooperation, will succeed so that this project will soon become a reality", assuring that the project will be licensed.
It is recalled that the Council of Ministers had decided on February 26, 2014 to lease for 33 years 59 hectares of land within the Natura 2000 area of Cape Greco. The decision had provoked strong reactions from environmental organizations and activists with references to the danger posed by priority habitats and species of fauna and poultry.
Following the negative response and the reasons why the golf course in the area was not approved, the concerns were justified as they are identified with the reasons for rejection.
Famagusta.News / With information from Philelefthero Newspaper, Haravgi Newspaper