The conservationist group BirdLife Cyprus is charging that the accelerated development of a major casino project in the island’s Zakaki area is being done without properly assessing how it will affect protected areas and species tin the region.
The group charged that the lack of environmental impact studies in the project violate EU and Cypriot laws.
“The Akrotiri Peninsula is a unique wetland and is home to many wonderful birds, plants and habitats protected under national and European laws,” BirdLife said in a press statement. “While media coverage has very much focused on the economic and job creation benefits of this touristic development, very little has been said about the environmental impacts of this huge project on the peninsula and its wildlife. These have, sadly, been brushed away, in the name of profit.”
The group said the project is located next to the most important wetland in Cyprus, the Akrotiri Salt Lake which should be a protected wildlife site. The site is especially important to the red-footed falcon which is in decline. The species stops in Cyprus every spring and autumn and uses the area to roost and feed during migration.
“A project of this size will lead to the loss of valuable habitat not only for the red-footed falcon, but for also many other species, such as the Eleonora’s falcon, with possibly irreversible consequences.”
Foundation stones for the project were recently laid despite an environmental impact assessment not being completed. The group also charged that extra assessments are called for since the site is close to protected areas.
