ANGRY residents of the Akamas have warned they will hold hunger strikes outside the Presidential Palace in protest at the government’s failure to establish a management plan for the area.
Residents of the area, earmarked as a protected nature resort, have long been calling for a management plan for the area that would allow some form of tourism expansion. However, continuous disagreements in Parliament have led to successive postponements, infuriating residents of villages within the protected area, who have seen neighbours grow rich on tourist development.
After a lengthy meeting between the communities of the area, Inia community leader Sofoclis Pittokopitis said residents had reached the end of their tether.
“For the past 16 years, the government has been playing around with us and this is the last straw. That is why we have decided to take such drastic measures. Things have gone from bad to worse recently and in the last two years not a single Minister has bothered to show the slightest interest in our problem.
“This coming Tuesday we will hold a hunger strike outside the Presidential Palace and maybe then they will get the message. At the same time, we will also block off the roundabout coming into Paphos.”
Akamas is one of several areas expected to be proposed by the government under the EU’s Natura 2000 programme. The purpose of the network is to preserve biodiversity by maintaining or restoring natural habitats of community importance. The government was set to finalise and submit the National List of Natura 2000 sites before accession last year, but the plans for Akamas remain pending.
Other designated areas include the Machairas forest, Cape Greco area, Diarizos valley, Stavros tis Psokas and the Larnaca salt lakes.
Meanwhile, the Green Party have blasted the government for their failure to put to an end to the Akamas dilemma, arguing that personal interests have delayed the development and prosperity of neighbouring communities.
“Akamas doesn’t just belong to the landowners but also to the Cypriot people. A non-solution is not the answer to the problem. Akamas has to be protected and, apart from the coastal areas, the neighbouring villages also need the opportunity to develop.
“Unfortunately, large financial gains are running counter to the protection of Akamas.”
Also weighing in have been animal protection and wildlife preservation organisations, who have protested plans for mass tourist developments in the Akamas. Many organisations are arguing that modest tourism development is needed to preserve the picturesque surroundings of the area while also protecting the wildlife inhabiting the peninsula.
