If one visits today the area of Agios Georgios Alamanos in the creek where the restaurant is, one can easily find that almost the entire beach front has been covered with constructions of the restaurant, there is no satisfactory access, asphalt paving has been done, there is water treatment etc. And all this with the knowledge of those in charge who are expected for at least ten (10) months to investigate the matter, since from July 7, 2021, the Federation of Environmental Organizations of Cyprus (NGO) sent an urgent letter to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. Costas Kadis, on the subject: “Arbitrary interventions and illegal constructions near an important habitat of the Mediterranean seal (Monachus Monachus) and the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus Aegryptiacus), which was recently restored by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, within the administrative boundaries of the Monagroulli community in the province of Limassol. “
Arbitrariness, illegalities?
The letter states that the only restaurant in the area (in t/k land the main construction), has proceeded to “arbitrary interventions and illegal constructions”, which include the expansion of its facilities within state-owned land, urban protection zone Da3 and designated beach protection zone (number of plots, etc. indicated). In addition, they include the planting of invasive alien species, the installation of outdoor lighting (floodlights), the construction of detachable premises (Bungalows), as well as the installation of a large number of umbrellas (canopies) and bunk beds in state protected land of the beach “. According to the letter of the Federation of Environmental Organizations of Cyprus, “arbitrary interventions and illegal constructions are adjacent to the maximum winter water line and are only 5 – 10 meters from the coast (shoreline). It is also noted that in the area of the bathing waters of Agios Georgios Alamanou, a Beach Use Plan has not been approved. However, arbitrary interventions and illegal constructions occupy almost the entire pebble beach in the natural bay, with a total length of about 240 meters. In addition, it is pointed out that there is no sewerage network in the area and the drainage pits of the coastal developments are a potential source of pollution of the bathing water area and the marine environment in general “.
Area importance
Point 4 of the same letter states that in relation to the Mediterranean seal and the Egyptian fruit bat (rare and strictly protected species of wildlife), “the restaurant is located about 220 meters from the entrance of the cave, which is located in the sea and about 240 meters from the opening that existed in the rocks, which is located in the coastal zone and was recently restored. It is pointed out that this is the & # 8220; most important coastal cave on the entire coastal front from Kavo Pyla to the Cape of Limassol & # 8221 ;, as characteristically mentioned in an announcement of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, dated 18/9/2020 » .
Investigation – Update
Finally, the Federation of Environmental Organizations of Cyprus appeals, inter alia, to investigate “whether any arbitrary interventions have been carried out and whether any illegal constructions have been erected, both within private land and urban development, within agricultural, agricultural protection zone Da3 and a defined protection zone of the beach “. In addition, a kind request is made for the organization to be informed about the actions that will be taken by those responsible in relation to what is mentioned in the letter. This letter was communicated to the director general of the competent ministry (of Agriculture), Andreas Grigoriou, to the director of the Department of Environment, Costas Hatzipanagiotou, to the director of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Marina Argyrou & to the director A. p>
Answers
“P” started asking about the issue to those in charge – involved recently. They all showed the Limassol district administration – the Department of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture admits that it was not informed/asked/gave either an opinion or permission for any construction/intervention that falls under the laws that concern it. Finally, one week after our first telephone conversation, the governor of Limassol, Marios Alexandrou, told us last Friday 6/5/2022 that on Thursday 5/5/2022 he sent the assistant prefect together with technicians to the area of Agios Alamanos , who “have recorded any illegalities outside the restaurant's license”. According to Mr. Alexandrou, “the assistant prefect is preparing a relevant letter to the managers of the restaurant with which he will ask that within two (2) months all the illegal constructions be demolished and the environment be fully restored. “Otherwise the case will be taken to court.” Asked why the Limassol district administration was so late in dealing with the issue, the prefect referred to “serious staffing problems due to coronavirus, etc.”. He added that “technicians of the Limassol district administration went to the spot again a few days ago, but they do not understand such things”, in his expression, for & # 8217; On Thursday, he sent the assistant prefect, “who is the most suitable as the person in charge of construction and has a lot of experience in the field of construction”. Mr. Alexandrou also said that “illegal interventions and constructions have been identified, as well as umbrellas/beds, etc. without the relevant permission “. “P” spoke with two managers of the restaurant, as they themselves told us, who in addition to warnings – to put it elegantly – to take legal action if the newspaper dares to report on the issue and other implication (which is not of the present), stated “that the various departments visited the area on the spot and found absolutely no illegality, neither in Halitiki land, nor elsewhere”. “You can ask about & # 8217; “those in charge”, we were told, and wondered if “behind this letter there is someone who wants to hurt the restaurant”.
