With the first heavy rain, the beach "Kalamies" in Protaras, which was formed illegally in the past with interventions of the Municipality of Paralimni and individuals, presented serious problems and became unsuitable for bathers. Therefore, the Famagusta District Administration for security reasons approved a request from the Municipality of Paralimni which includes work to remove stones and rocks that were swept to the sea by the currents after the disaster last December, the reconstruction of part of the sidewalk and the construction of a ramp for access to the beach.
Speaking to "F", the Prefect of Famagusta, George Chrysafinis, stated that "these works must be carried out to repair the damage caused by the disaster, unfortunately due to arbitrary interventions in the past by the Municipality and individuals." These works are aimed, he added, precisely at the creation of safety and protection conditions for bathers and other travelers on the beach.
He added that the relevant Departments of Environment, Public Works and Fisheries and Marine Research, whose representatives have visited the site, are also aware of the issue. At the same time, he stated that the works are monitored by the guard of the beach of the District Administration, who has an order to intervene in case they exceed the allowed ones.
Asked whether the permit that has been given includes the removal of stones and rocks from the sea or the beach, Mr. Chrysafinis clarified that the permit allows the entire beach to be cleaned, without the machine entering the sea.
He added that the permission given does not provide for the rocking of the coast. Any work, he said, can be done on the sidewalk and rocks that were not swept away from the sea can be removed.
He noted that the permit that has been given does not provide for the configuration of a beach with heavy motor vehicles. It is allowed, he added, to clean the beach and collect algae and loose stones, without affecting the terrain of the area.
According to Mr. Chrysafinis, after the disasters, the competent departments inspected the area where they actually found damage in the areas where in the past arbitrary interventions were carried out.
He also stated that in contrast to the past, this year's work of the Municipality of Paralimni is done in consultation with the District Administration without any problems.
However, according to photos and videos sent to "F" by citizens, the heavy motor vehicles seem to be removing rocks from the sea zone.
Interventions in the last five years
It is noted that in the last five years, a number of arbitrary interventions have been recorded on beaches by the Municipality of Paralimni, within the Beach and Marine Protection Zone:
At Kappari area Between 2013-2014, the coast was rocked, loose rocks were placed in the form of a breakwater on the north side of the creek, about 10 meters long, and the beach was landscaped.
At Fig Tree Bay area Between 2013-2014, earthworks were carried out, a vertical cantilever was constructed from natural boulders, approximately 30 meters long, and the beach was landscaped.
At Agia Triada area Between 2013-2014, the coast was rocked, earthworks were carried out, vegetation was deforested, parking lots were created and the beach was landscaped.
At Siren (Koumoulli) and Vrysouthkia (Mouzoura) areas Between 2015-2016, earthworks were carried out, construction of terraces with the use of boulders, which present a very steep slope and a high degree of danger, as well as the construction of toilets.
At Kappari area between 2017-2018, an earthen sidewalk was drawn and constructed without following the appropriate procedures for road or sidewalk registration. After an audit of the Auditor General, it was found that the expenses were covered by the budget of the Municipality of Paralimni.
REST OF THE COAST AND OTHER WORKS
At Lombardy area (Green Bay), on a coastal plot of Halite land, adjacent to the Marine Protected Area of the Natura 2000 Network Site of Community Importance / Special Conservation Zone Marine Islands (TKS / EZD CY3000006) with the use of boulders, deforestation and landscaping of the beach.
At the same time, arbitrary surgeries were performed fthe beaches of Skoutari (Malama), Cavo Maris and Konnos, for which complaints were submitted to the Police by the Famagusta District Administration.
Creating a canteen instead of a toilet
At MMAD beach, in addition to the earthen sidewalk, trees were planted and possible intervention in the Beach Protection Zone. By decision of the Council of Ministers, the local authority was granted the right to create toilets, but instead the Municipality of Paralimni announced a tender for the operation of a canteen in the specific area.
At Glyki Nero beach (dog beach) The erection and construction of an earthen sidewalk continued without a permit, while a culvert was constructed without a study, design or permit.
At Glyki Nero beach B, an earthen sidewalk was laid and constructed and trees were planted, while excavators rocked the shore and carried out earthworks within the Beach Protection Zone, which do not comply with the permit granted to the Municipality of Paralimni by the Famagusta District.
Source: Philenews / Angelos Nikolaou