On November 28, together with the Mayor of Paralimni, Mr. Theodoros Pyrillis, we paid an on-site visit to Lake Paralimni, during which we discussed in detail every detail regarding the proper operation of the Lake, the protection of the species, the pressures it receives, but and the rational management of the big issue of water level.
Despite the fact that there were different views between us, however, it was mutually agreed that Lake Paralimni should be protected, and that is why we must act immediately. At the end of our meeting, we considered it helpful to note the following actions:
(a) our activation for immediate cleaning of the Lake from the piles of garbage found both in the private plots and in its perimeter
(b) the need to draw up an environmental study on the rational management of water based on species biology
(c) the consent of the Mayor to maintain the water level to a point that allows the breeding of birds and the parallel reproduction of food for the water snake Natrix natrix cypriaca until the beginning of June, in relation to the problems that arise in permanent residents of the area,
(d) preventing arbitrariness in the illegal drainage canal
(e) the cooperation of both for the establishment of a Visitor Information Center on the Lake
(f) the creation of a Nature Trail around the Lake but also points of observation and service of photographers.
In addition, the general discussion was concerned with the status of private property in the Lake, as well as the ways of its management and all the pressures that the area receives. For these issues, we agreed that we should immediately find solutions that have as a priority the protection status of the area as Natura and SPA, while at the same time an effort should be made not to ignore the needs of the residents of the wider area.
Finally, we agreed that whenever conditions (due to the pandemic) allow it, we will conduct information workshops and consultations so that it is understood that the Lake as a Natura area is a huge financial resource that remains untapped and if protected and operated properly, can contributes to the seasonality of tourism in the area by allowing the visit of winter visitors to Paralimni.
* Complaints about Lake Paralimni were preceded by the Initiative for the Rescue of Natural Coasts.
See the relevant report