The images from Lake Paralimni are impressive after the heavy rainfall of recent months.
That's it Famagusta.News with his cooperation Photo Studio Costa and Andreas Kostas recorded impressive images from the habitat of significant value and unique beauty.
Watch the impressive video:
The Lake of Paralimni
Lake Paralimni is a natural seasonal brackish lake at the eastern tip of Cyprus, near the province of Famagusta. It is located on the borders of the Municipalities of Paralimni, Deryneia and Sotira and has joined the European network NATURA 2000.
The lake is enriched exclusively by rainwater runoff during the winter, mainly from the Platy torrent that flows east of the lake, while in the summer, it dries up. During periods of heavy rainfall, the water of the lake is channeled through the canal which was built in the 60 ′, in small enrichment dams for the enrichment of the underground aquifer of the area. The first irrigation canals were built in 1893.
Lake Paralimni is an important wetland in Cyprus with rare species of flora and fauna, but which has suffered significant degradation. Among the species stands out a rare species of water snake, Natrix natrix cypriaca, which is found only in Cyprus and is therefore a protected species. The vegetation is dominated by allophytic species, while a large number of birds are hosted permanently or temporarily in the area, with the most important species being Vanellus spinosus (Pellokaterina).
Cypriot water snake
The Cypriot water snake (Natrix natrix cypriaca) is a species of water snake that is endemic to Cyprus. In the past he lived in several areas of Cyprus but today he is in danger of extinction. It is not poisonous and feeds on frogs and invertebrates. Fossils of the water snake dating back 10000 years have been found in Akrotiri. Today in Cyprus it is found in three areas and the largest population lives in Lake Paralimni. Uncontrolled residential development on the shores of the lake, lack of protection and management of the area and uncontrolled access, has led the fragile water snake population to the brink of extinction.
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