Below in English
Unbelievable Disgrace at Paralimni Lake – By George Konstantinou – Politis Newspaper, 3/10/2017
The unbelievable disgrace at Paralimni Lake. Well done to us.
By George Konstantinou
Paralimni Lake is located in the Famagusta District and borders three communities: Paralimni, Sotira and Deryneia. Paralimni took its name from the lake—“Para tin Limni”, meaning “beside the lake”.
The lake has been included in the European Natura 2000 Network.
It is a seasonal brackish lake and one of the most important wetlands in Cyprus, hosting thousands of migratory birds during the winter months.
The lake is supplied with rainwater, mainly from the Platis River during the winter months, while in summer it dries out, apart from a few places.
A channel was constructed in the past to remove excess water. However, this channel is deep enough to drain almost the entire lake, with devastating consequences for its fauna.
Almost 200 bird species have been recorded at the lake, out of the approximately 410 species recorded so far throughout Cyprus.
Rare protected birds breed at the lake, including the Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus), the Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and the Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus). These are species for which the area has been designated as an SPA—Special Protection Area—as they require protection and conservation within the European Union under Annex I of Directive 2009/147/EC.
Apart from birds, the lake also supports rare species of flora and fauna, such as the rare Cyprus Grass Snake (Natrix natrix cypriaca), which is in danger of becoming permanently extinct. It is found in only two areas of Cyprus: Paralimni Lake and an area in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains.
The Cyprus Grass Snake is an endemic subspecies. It is a completely harmless, non-venomous snake that feeds on fish and frogs.
To protect the Grass Snake, channels have been constructed within the lake to retain water during the dry summer months, providing this rare species with shelter and food.
As part of implementing its environmental policy and fulfilling its European obligations concerning the conservation and management of the natural environment, the Republic of Cyprus commissioned the Greek Biotope–Wetland Centre (EKBY) in September 2010 to prepare the Management Plan for the “Paralimni Lake – CY3000008” site. The Management Plan for “Paralimni Lake – CY3000008” was prepared within the framework of the project “Provision of Services for the Preparation of a Management Plan for the Paralimni Lake Area”. The project was funded through national resources, with the Department of Environment of the Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment acting as the contracting authority.
Management objective
The Paralimni Lake area is a Site of Community Importance (SCI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds, possessing particular ecological importance. The following management objectives arise from the reasoning and philosophy behind designating the area as protected, as well as from the assessment of its characteristics and values.
The protection of the biological diversity of the “Paralimni Lake – CY3000008” area and the preservation of its wetland character.
Specific objectives
The maintenance of the Cyprus Grass Snake (Natrix natrix cypriaca) population at its 2000 level, with the ultimate objective of increasing its population by 50% over the following decade.
The maintenance of the diversity of habitat types, flora and fauna, with particular emphasis on those of Community importance.
The maintenance or increase of amphibian populations, which constitute the principal food source of the Cyprus Grass Snake (Natrix natrix cypriaca).
The maintenance or increase of the bird populations, including the Spur-winged Lapwing, Kentish Plover, Black-winged Stilt and Trashiilouda.
The maintenance or improvement of the quality of the species’ habitats.
The maintenance or improvement of the area’s water and wetland resources.
The prevention of unlawful activities in the area, including interference with habitats, illegal collection of species and illegal killing of wildlife.
The creation of conditions necessary for securing the required social consensus, strengthening environmental awareness and promoting the area and its sustainable development.
Despite all this, however, in 2012 the European Court condemned Cyprus for failing to provide adequate protection for Paralimni Lake and the Cyprus Grass Snake.
But no matter where you point, things keep getting worse because of the unbelievable indifference of the competent authorities.
If this were properly investigated, it would undoubtedly reveal that bribery and financial interests lie behind the inadequate protection of the lake, because of the extensive privately owned land situated within it.
During our visit to Paralimni Lake on Saturday, 16 September 2017, we witnessed scenes of unbelievable “beauty”.
As soon as we approached the lake, it felt as though we had entered a war zone because of the gunfire coming from the shooting range—which, unbelievably, is situated among houses—operated by the Famagusta District Shooting Organisation. Part of the shooting range lies within the boundaries of the SPA, while its field of fire faces towards the lake basin, polluting the lake with poisonous lead and causing unbelievable disturbance to the birds and other wildlife.
Upon entering the lake area, we were left speechless. There were entire mountains of rubble and rubbish: armchairs, beds, garden waste, refrigerators, chairs, car tyres, dead animals and anything else you could possibly imagine. Sadly, these were scenes from a Third World country.
The entire lake area was covered with empty shotgun cartridges, the products of poaching.
The shooting range provides perfect cover for poaching, as every gunshot heard in the area is assumed to have come from the range. It is truly unbelievable.
It is unacceptable that hunting is permitted even within the lake itself, despite the area having been included in the European Natura 2000 Network.
At one small pool where water still remained, poachers had placed many kilograms of wheat to attract birds to that particular spot to feed, allowing them to lie in wait and shoot them.
All kinds of motorised vehicles move freely and without control throughout the lake, causing serious disturbance.
An illegal motocross track operates at the boundary of the protected area. In 2017, it was even used for official nationwide races. It causes enormous disturbance to the birds and was created with the blessings of the Municipalities of Sotira and Paralimni, which placed banners bearing the names of their municipalities at the track’s entrance. It appears that they are incapable of understanding the enormous damage they are causing and, apparently, they even feel proud of it.
Illegal channels have also been opened around the track to prevent it from flooding, resulting in the drainage of the lake.
Many foreign birdwatchers visit the lake to observe birds.
What a disgrace. What must they think of us? What will they say about us when they return to their countries?
Let us hope that the competent authorities will finally become aware of the situation, awaken from the deep sleep and inactivity in which they find themselves, assume their responsibilities and save this unique wetland of our country, which constitutes a natural heritage belonging to us all.
After all, they are paid to do their jobs properly.
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