By Marinos Pavlikas *:
Motocross track and private pieces inside Lake Paralimni
The process of expropriation of real estate is in a state of stagnation, after the decision of the Government to revoke the expropriation in 2014
Our country has been condemned in 2012 by the European Court for insufficient protection of Lake Paralimni and the Cypriot water snake
Last week, the uncontrollable situation prevailing in Lake Paralimni, regarding human interventions in one of the most important wetlands of our country, which hosts important species of flora and fauna, saw the light of day again. The occasion was the organization of the Pancyprian Motocross Championship on Sunday, September 24, at the track, which has been temporarily constructed near the Special Conservation Zone and the Special Protection Zone of the Natura 2000 Network. The whole issue brings back to the current state of stagnation in which the expropriation process, following the Government's decision to revoke the expropriation in 2014.
Ecologists: Without permission
On the occasion of the premiere on September 24 last year, at the new track in Lake Paralimni, of the Pancyprian Motocross Championship, the Movement of Ecologists-Citizens' Cooperation issued a statement, through which it complains on the one hand that the track is not licensed by the competent authorities, the proximity of the track to an area, which is part of the Natura 2000 Network.
In his statements to "Simerini" on Sunday, the President of the Ecologists' Movement, George Perdikis, stated that the Government and the local authorities had demolished the previous track that existed in Lake Paralimni, after its proclamation as a European Habitat of the Natura 2000 Network.
Nevertheless, said Mr. Perdikis, in 2017 a new track was built, which affects the habitat. He also noted that the Ecologists' Movement is in favor of the employment of athletes and motorcyclists in the area, but on a track that is outside the habitat and that has all the necessary permits.
The President of the Club of Friends of Motorcyclists of Famagusta, Zannetos Koumassi, stressed in his turn to "S" that the construction of the track was financed by the Municipalities of Paralimni and Sotira, emphasizing, however, that this is clearly a temporary solution until found space. He also noted the fact that the motocross track has been constructed entirely inside private property and outside the Natura 2000 Network, a fact for which, according to the Department of Environment itself, the Special Conservation Zone and the Special Protection Zone are not directly affected.
"Efforts to find a solution continue"
According to what the Officer of the Department of Environment, Despo Zavrou, told "S", the competent Departments of the Ministries of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and Interior continue their efforts to find a solution to the property, in order to fully ensure the protection of the Special Conservation Zone ( EZD) and the Special Protection Zone (SPA).
It is recalled that, in the context of the implementation of the Environmental Policy but also to cover its European obligations, the Republic of Cyprus commissioned in 2010 the elaboration of the Management Plan of Lake Paralimni. The Management Plan was prepared by the Hellenic Center for Habitats-Wetlands with funding from National Resources and with the Contracting Authority being the Department of Environment. Nevertheless, our country has been condemned in 2012 by the European Court for inadequate protection of Lake Paralimni and the Cypriot water snake.
On the other hand, the approximately 200 property owners inside Lake Paralimni were burdened with the cost of the Government's financial difficulties, when in 2014 the expropriation of their properties was revoked. The expropriation process would cost the Government more than about 12 million euros, which in the midst of an economic recession preferred to throw the issue in the drawer, without a solution being found so far.
Not on selective exploitation
According to Ms. Zavrou, the Management Plan for the Special Management Zone (EZD) for the species and habitats it hosts is implemented by the Department of Environment and several of the actions proposed in it are already being implemented. However, as he mentioned, the Management Plan is not a legal tool and does not have any legally binding force.
The legal framework governing the EZD, he continued, will be completed with the issuance of a Decree on Management and Protection of Nature with the aim of enacting protective measures and prohibitions to safeguard the area. It is worth noting that the EZD and SPA are defined urbanly as Protection Zone Da1, where residential development is not allowed, since the building factor is very low (0,005: 1).
In his turn, the Mayor of Paralimni, Theodoros Pyrillis, speaking to "S", stressed the importance of finding a solution, which, while protecting biodiversity, on the other hand, satisfies the property owners and the residents of three Municipalities on the borders of which the Lake is located. As he characteristically stated, "a solution must be found quickly, however", as he said, "it is time for some to stop selectively exploiting the issue of the Lake".
Important habitat and water snake
According to the Department of the Environment, the Lake Paralimni area was included in the Natura 2000 Network due to the presence of habitats and species of the European Habitats Directive (92/43 / EEC), as well as its importance for birds included in the Directive. on the protection of wild birds (2009/147 / EC). The area has joined the Network, by Decision of the European Commission of 10 January 2011, with No. 2011/85 / EU, while the total area of EZD and SPA amounts to 273 hectares and is a natural ecosystem with a seasonal character, which in summer dries up and retains water in individual lakes, while in winter, depending on rainfall, fills with water. the whole area.
The area is particularly important for bird fauna, where a total of 103 bird species are found, of which 35 belong to Annex I of Directive 2009/147 / EC, with 13 of them breeding in the Lake and 4 wintering there. In particular, according to the information provided by the Department of Environment to "S", the area is the most important breeding habitat of Pellocaterina (Vanellus spinosus) in Cyprus and is considered particularly important for the breeding of the Sea Whistler (Charadrius alexandrinus), Kalalas himantopus) and Calandrella brachydactyla.
The importance of the area for the bird fauna is evidenced by the presence of rare species in Annex I of Directive 2009/147 / EC such as the Snow White (Egretta garzetta), the Fighter (Philomachus pugnax), the Microbird (Porzana parva) and the Sitarizaopoulia ( ), while among the total 14 species that winter in the Lake, the flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is occasionally included. Lake Paralimni is also an important stop for bird species migrating north in the spring and one of their last resting places before heading south in the fall.
From the rest of the fauna of the area, the Cypriot water snake (Natrix natrix cypriaca) and the small rhinoceros (Rhinolophus hipposideros), are species of community interest, for the preservation of which Lake Paralimni was characterized as EZD. The water snake Natrix natrix cypriaca is an endemic subspecies of Cyprus with a length of about 1 meter.
It is completely harmless and feeds mainly on frogs, tadpoles, rodents and bird chicks. The population of Lake Paralimni is the healthiest population of the island. The number of water snakes living in the EZD cannot be accurately estimated, due to their difficulty in locating. A rough estimate is that the population today is between 50 and 100 people.
*Source: SIMERINI newspaper of Sunday (8/10/2017)
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