"Some had illegally opened (and without any permission) the canal and the gate of the lake, in order to drain it", the Cyprus Bird Association states in a post.
"140 - 180 liters per second. So much water is lost from Lake Paralimni in recent days. For more than a week now, the lake has been losing water at an alarming rate. Some had illegally (and without any permission) opened the canal and the gate of the lake, in order to drain it.
After contacting the relevant departments asking them to address the situation immediately, the flow stopped a few days ago with the closure of the canal and the door. This morning, however, we woke up in front of this spectacle. Some reopened the channel last night. Drainage continues. If the flow continues, in about two weeks (depending on the evaporation) the lake will be completely drained, with serious consequences for the birds of the area and the hydrology of the lake.
This is an extremely critical period for the birds, and especially for two species for which the lake has been designated as a Natura 2000 protected area: Pellokaterina and Kalamokanna, which currently have nests in the lake.
We ask all the competent government departments to take measures IMMEDIATELY, so that the drainage of Lake Paralimni is stopped and to investigate who or who is responsible for this catastrophic crime against nature ".
Source: Avant - garde