The Irrigation Department of Paralimni responded to the complaints for illegal drainage of water from Lake Paralimni through an announcement today to Famagusta.News.
It is reminded that complaints were made by the Cyprus Bird Association for illegal drainage of the water of Lake Paralimni.
Read also: PARALIMNI: Allegations of illegal drainage of the Lake
In today's revolving letter signed by the Coordinator, Michalis Paraschos, the Irrigation Department of Paralimni clarifies that the removal of water takes place only in case of overflow of the lake while pointing out the necessity by the state for resolving the property issue which puts a brake on the implementation of the Lake Paralimni Management Plan.
Read also: Lake Paralimni: Hydrobiotic site divided into plots
Here is the announcement of the Irrigation Department of Paralimni:
In response to what has come to light recently citing the illegal pumping of water from Lake Paralimni (Nstura 2000), the reality is as follows: There is a central dam built into the entrance of the tunnel. In the upper part there is an overflow of 10 cm. It is managed exclusively by the Irrigation Department of Paralimni. (NO ONE ELSE).
Since 1991 the members of the Irrigation Department know very well the natural characteristics of Lake Paralimni. They also know the physical characteristics (of the 850 m long tunnel, of the 11.5 km long open canal) but also of the whole irrigation system which is integrated and is related to the enrichment of the underground aquifer of the affected area and which is quite large as stated. above.
Any reports about the alleged opening of the gates are not true. The reality is that small amounts of water leave the overflow and only the overflow. The central dam is opened by the Irrigation Committee only when it has the consent of the competent departments which are the Department of Environment, the Department of Water Development and the Fund of Thera. The rubble of the outflow river inside the plots is done illegally since the river has not been expropriated and is the exclusive property of a private individual. The government has not been able to adequately protect the habitat.
Infrastructure can be done at a specific point with a dam similar to those of the tunnel, which in this way will avoid the placement of soil (sloppiness). When this is done we will achieve the retention of quantities of water in the habitat.
There is a management plan, which in order to be implemented in its entirety, problems such as the property one must be solved. Seal the habitat from illegal activities either inside or near the lake and excavate other larger lakes.
The Irrigation Committee also suggested to the competent departments that some quantities of water be channeled into the habitat since the high adequacy of the dams allows us to do so, mainly in times of rain.
There is the other view (reactions) from several residents near the lake.
Unfortunately, however, there is another view that the Irrigation Commission has to face and which comes from our fellow citizens who say that they are in danger of mosquito outbreaks and that if something happens we will face legal action against us.
In the last meeting of 24/4/2019 that took place in the District Administration of Famagusta, which was requested by the Irrigation Committee to take place, the reasons for this meeting were:
1) What will happen to the salt lake water? We have complaints from farmers who claimed that the underground aquifer near the lake would be destroyed. In response to this, the WDD said that there is no such issue of concern.
2) What about mosquito outbreaks? We have a lot of complaints from a lot of people. Who will be responsible if something serious happens, how is it dealt with? In response to this from the Environment Service, the WDD and the District Administration said that we should work together to deal with the bourgeois phenomenon and to avoid any incident.
The final decision was to keep the lake water inside until it evaporated completely. We asked that it be written in the minutes of the meeting that we have serious reservations and that the Irrigation Committee will not bear any responsibility for what happens and that we respect their decision. After two days we were informed by the mayor of Paralimni that a meeting had preceded with the competent departments, except for the Irrigation Committee (this is emphasized). Their decision was to keep the lake closed until the end of April. Then the soil (sloppiness) would be removed and the water through the overflow would be directed to the exit towards the sea.
These are the real facts, this is the truth and let everyone draw their own conclusions.
As the Irrigation Committee we do not accept any shadow against us, we are serious and we will remain serious. We respect the habitat, it is a natural treasure for us, our children and future generations.
Let the state respect him and let him finally protect him.
Irrigation Department of Paralimni
Michalis Paraschos, Coordinator
May 8, 2019 ″
Famagusta.News