Intense pressures are exerted on Lake Paralimni and concern the removal of water, with the aim of its drainage, inadequate water management, uncontrolled access, poaching and illegal trapping, the dumping of materials in various places, the nuisance caused to the species habitat degradation from these activities, but also the continuous expansion of the urban fabric in the perimeter and the catchment area of the Lake. The lake, in addition to the bird fauna, hosts important species of flora and fauna, such as the endemic subspecies of water snake (Natrix natrix cypriaca).
In the last days after the heavy rain, the embankment that closes the irrigation canal is removed, with the result that huge amounts of water leave the Lake. Furthermore, the surrounding area looks like a vast garbage dump with illegal deposits of aggregates, but also other materials, either by professional skip drivers or by individuals.
Lake Paralimni is perhaps the most important wetland in Cyprus, after the Akrotiri and Larnaca Salt Pans. Lake Paralimni has been included in the Natura 2000 Network both as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) / Special Conservation Zone (SPA) for natural habitats, flora and fauna, and as a Special Protection Zone (SPA) for wild birds.
The designated habitats for the SCC / EDP area are the Primary Vegetation with Salicornia and other annual species of muddy and sandy zones, the Mediterranean salt marshes (Juncetalia maritimi) and the Southern riparian forests and lodges (Nerio-Securic). The specification species for the SCI / EZD area are the priority species Natrix natrix cypriaca (Cypriot water snake) and the species Rhinolophus hipposideros (Mikrinolofos). The defining species for the SPA area are Vanellus spinosus (Pellokaterina), Himantopus himantopus (Kalamokannas) and Charadrius alexandrinus (Nanoplumidi).
In particular, in March 2009, Lake Paralimni was declared a SPA, while in January 2011 it was declared a SCC. In April 2015, the TKS area was declared an EZD and the Decree was issued pursuant to Article 13 (2) of the Law on Nature and Wildlife Protection and Management (Priority Measures for the Special Conservation Zone of Paralimni Lake - CY3000008).
However, to date the necessary Decree for Management and Protection of Nature has not been issued under Article 15 of the Law on Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife of 2003 to 2015, as well as the necessary Decree for Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Prey under Article 7 (6) of the Law on Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Prey of 2003 to 2017.
The most important threats to the Natura 2000 area of the SCC / EZD and SPA Lake Paralimni (CY3000008) are the following: Housing development, agriculture, hunting, property status, urban planning, planned projects, evaluation of infrastructure networks, residential access policy, policy in the lake, illegal operation of a motor sports track, dumping of aggregates, poaching and illegal trapping.
It is noted that in March 2012, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled in favor of Cyprus for not including within the set deadline the site of Community importance of Lake Paralimni - Natrix natrix cypriaca protection regime.
The Court sentenced the Republic of Cyprus for violating its obligations by failing to include the area of Lake Paralimni in the national list of proposed Sites of Community Importance and tolerating activities that seriously endanger the ecological characteristics of Lake Paralimni and without taking measures. to protect the population of the species Natrix natrix cypriaca (water snake of Cyprus), which is the ecological interest of this lake and the Xyliatos dam, and failing to take the necessary measures to establish and implement a strict protection regime for the species his.
Monument of mismanagement
The representative of the Initiative for the Rescue of Natural Coasts, Kleitos Papastylianou, stated in this regard: Lake Paralimni is the dominant case of inadequate and poor management of a protected area Na2000 and a very important wetland. Access to the Lake remains uncontrolled with vehicles entering and dumping rubbish and debris in dozens of locations, while various projects located in and near the Lake have never been properly Detected and have not even received urban and building permits. , for example the existing shooting range, the existing motorcycle racing runways and the model airfield. Lake Paralimni is a monument of mismanagement of an important nature protection area.
They monitor the water level
The Department of Environment states that Lake Paralimni, after the last rains, has received enough water, beneficial for the wetland.
According to the Department, the Lake is part of a wider hydrological network, along with the inflow river, the outflow channel (which extends for several kilometers), the small irrigation dams and the rainwater canals of the immediate area.
The outflow channel receives water, both from the lake and from the rainwater channels of the adjacent residential areas and roads, with the result that from time to time there is a need to open the gate at the northern end of the lake to avoid floods. In addition, again depending on the level and the risk, in the lake channel that ends in the outflow channel, an earthen embankment is constructed for water management.
The Department of Environment and the Department of Water Development monitor the water level of the lake and in cooperation with local agencies carry out similar actions for water management.
Regarding garbage, the Department of the Environment notes that garbage and inert materials are no longer deposited within the Special Conservation Zone (SPA) and Special Protection Zone (SPA), following actions by the Department of the Environment to close access to vehicles within the SAC and SPA. Illegal dumping as well as old landfills are observed around the lake, inside private plots north of EZD and SPA. In collaboration with the local authorities, cleaning is done 2 to 3 times a year and an effort is made to inform the public to avoid such incidents.
Source: philenews