Green group slams new Ayia Napa marina

Conservationist group Initiative for the Protection of the Natural Coastline has expressed opposition to the construction of a marina on the coast of Ayia Napa in an area of environmental importance.

The group questions why the €220 million project cannot be built next to the small harbour instead of putting it in an area of particular environmental, archaeological and religious importance.

“The marina will be constructed in the heart of the Ayia Thekla-Liopetri Natura 2000 network, the destruction of which will be irreversible,” the group said in a statement.

The purpose of the area is the protection of 19 bird species. It is one of two important locations on the island used by the greater sand plover (Charadrius leschenaultia), an endangered species particularly in Europe.

“The Initiative for the Protection of the Natural Coastline considers such grandiose plans as developments which aim towards the appropriation, privatisation and commercialisation of our common resources and/or spaces.

In this vicious circle of “growth”, corporate profits and private interests are blatantly placed above our human rights and the protection of the environment.”

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