With the management of coastal areas and the sustainable use of coastal resources, Cyprus is called upon to move forward in an effort to address significant challenges related to the over-concentration of economic activities and population in coastal areas, the development of infrastructure and buildings affecting coastal and marine , the loss of fertile agricultural land, the fragmentation of decision-making on coastal development policies and actions, the lack of a proper valuation of environmental assets and the limited environmental awareness.
In addition to the challenges, there are pressures in the coastal zone regarding the over-exploitation of natural resources and the degradation of natural habitats, the degradation of water and marine environment quality, the depletion of water resources, the acceleration of erosion, the accumulation of pollution various sources, the increase in construction and development of infrastructure projects due to population concentration and tourism, the poor management of urban, industrial and agricultural wastewater discharged into the sea, as well as the increase in risk due to climate change.
Recently, the Department of Environment held a public consultation for the presentation of the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (SEA) for the National Strategy and the Action Plan for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) of the Republic of Cyprus. The presentations were made by representatives of the Department of Environment and the consortium, in which the Company ALA Planning Partnership Consultancy LLC and the Goulandris Museum of Natural History - Hellenic Center for Habitats / Wetlands (EKBY) participated.
Four environmental organizations (Federation of Environmental Organizations, Terra Cypria, Bird Association, Natural Coastal Rescue Initiative) are of the opinion that the National Strategy and Action Plan for ICZM should follow the law and not precede the law. with the Protocol to the Barcelona Convention on the ICZM of the Mediterranean.
At the same time, they consider that the Department of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment should be the competent authority for the management of the Beach Protection Zone and the land border of the coastal zone. It is noted that today the competent authority for the determination of the nearby coastal zone is the Minister of Interior, who can determine, with a notification published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus, the Beach Protection Zone.
In addition, they note that the objectives of the National Strategy and the Action Plan for the ICZM of the Republic of Cyprus are not measurable.
Environmental groups say there is a lack of strategic planning for the coastline's carrying capacity to accommodate large-scale developments. In addition, they point out, there is insufficient justification for the actual needs of yacht berths, given the number, location and capacity of existing commercial and industrial ports, marinas and fishing shelters. They note that no zoning plan has ever been drawn up for marinas and yacht docking areas, while neither policy has ever been subject to an EIA and an Adequate Environmental Impact Assessment (DEEP).
Source: Liberal