Cyprus-Forum.com

[AWE]

Akamas village sends out SOS
By Bejay Browne

‘Quarry blasting will tear our town apart’

RESIDENTS OF Androlikou village have sent out a desperate plea for help over the constant quarrying they say is tearing apart their town.

The village sits in a region of outstanding natural beauty on the Polis Chrysochous side of Akamas but daily explosions and heavy excavations are decimating the area.

Local gynaecologist, Yiannis Taliotis, says the mining activity is illegal, as the village is Turkish Cypriot owned.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in the village since the Turkish Cypriot villagers left in 1975. For many years, quarrying of construction materials was taking place to the east of the village, which is a short distance away from the string of gorges in the area.”

Once these resources had been exhausted, residents were hoping the quarries would close.

“I have now discovered that the Cyprus Government has given permission for companies to move over the road and begin quarrying over the gorge of Androlikou.”

Taliotis says the entire area is a natural wonder, with wild animals, rhododendrons, shrubs, trees, birds and resident bats.

“This village is going to be surrounded, as there are now four or five more applications for further excavations,” he said.

Androlikou is a village where there are many professional sheep and goat farmers, who, according to the doctor, will find it impossible to survive next to explosions and heavy quarrying.

“There are wild goats in this gorge, which in itself could be described as ecologically unique,” he said.

“I have contacted the Interior Minister, the Agriculture Minister, the Environmental Commissioner and the forestry department.

“I have also spoken to all of the environmental organisations in Nicosia and explained the situation.”

He underlined, “I can’t do this on my own, we have to work together.”

The series of gorges are of extraordinary beauty and the doctor is determined to ensure they aren’t completely destroyed.

“This is happening next to the main road connecting Androlikou and Polis Chrysochous. Children, old women, and men have to pass by these explosions, which are taking place only 20 yards away,” he said.

This village is unique, as it is the only place in the republic where the majority of the local council are Turkish Cypriots.

“I have the backing of the villagers, and most importantly of Hassan Mustafa, who is a member of the council and, at 75 years old, the oldest member of the community.

Taliotis said the government requested the villagers go to Nicosia to sign some papers but most of them can neither read nor write.

“Mustafa told the others not to go and he didn’t. When the younger village members went to sign papers, they didn’t understand that they were signing away the future of their village. Now they are angry and afraid, as they have signed one paper, they believe they will have to sign several more, as there are many vultures circling their heads,” he said.

Twenty people live permanently in the village, with the numbers regularly boosted by Turkish Cypriots visiting their home town. Before it was abandoned, the village had over 600 inhabitants.

Taliotis continued, “There haven’t been any visitors over the last few days, so they are unaware of the situation. But I believe once the Turkish Cypriots realise what has happened, they will take legal action.”

The doctor pointed out that the government should understand that the area is Turkish Cypriot owned and believes the European court for will lambast the state for “usurping and annihilating Turkish Cypriot land”.

“This is prime land in a beautiful location and this terrible practice must stop,” he said.

Andreas Evlavis, the district secretary of the Paphos Green party said, “this is a protected area, the bats are already scared and can be seen flying around in the middle of the day, this isn’t usual for them.”

Evlavis underlined that the mine is a new one, and work at the site commenced on Wednesday.

“They should’ve stopped working here a long time ago,” he said.

“Four years ago deputies promised to shut down everything. But this was a lie and now further licences have been granted.”

Evlavis continued, “The government must take measures to protect and stop this barbaric act. You can’t understand the cost to the environment. These stones add to the beauty of Androlikou. “The new mine is on the border of the gorge where protected bats live in caves underneath.

“The few people who live here and don’t have much power. We are trying to stop the damage.

“Only a few days ago, we had the elections with all the politicians saying how sensitive they are to the environment, and then three days later we have all this damage.

“It will cost the environment dearly. Where are all these sensitive politicians now?”


Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/

Why, give the current economic climate who is going to build the properties to take all this stone?

and did the owners of the land give their permission or were they conned?

[baby-come-fly-with-me]

Akamas village sends out SOS
By Bejay Browne

‘Quarry blasting will tear our town apart’

RESIDENTS OF Androlikou village have sent out a desperate plea for help over the constant quarrying they say is tearing apart their town.

The village sits in a region of outstanding natural beauty on the Polis Chrysochous side of Akamas but daily explosions and heavy excavations are decimating the area.

Local gynaecologist, Yiannis Taliotis, says the mining activity is illegal, as the village is Turkish Cypriot owned.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in the village since the Turkish Cypriot villagers left in 1975. For many years, quarrying of construction materials was taking place to the east of the village, which is a short distance away from the string of gorges in the area.”

Once these resources had been exhausted, residents were hoping the quarries would close.

“I have now discovered that the Cyprus Government has given permission for companies to move over the road and begin quarrying over the gorge of Androlikou.”

Taliotis says the entire area is a natural wonder, with wild animals, rhododendrons, shrubs, trees, birds and resident bats.

“This village is going to be surrounded, as there are now four or five more applications for further excavations,” he said.

Androlikou is a village where there are many professional sheep and goat farmers, who, according to the doctor, will find it impossible to survive next to explosions and heavy quarrying.

“There are wild goats in this gorge, which in itself could be described as ecologically unique,” he said.

“I have contacted the Interior Minister, the Agriculture Minister, the Environmental Commissioner and the forestry department.

“I have also spoken to all of the environmental organisations in Nicosia and explained the situation.”

He underlined, “I can’t do this on my own, we have to work together.”

The series of gorges are of extraordinary beauty and the doctor is determined to ensure they aren’t completely destroyed.

“This is happening next to the main road connecting Androlikou and Polis Chrysochous. Children, old women, and men have to pass by these explosions, which are taking place only 20 yards away,” he said.

This village is unique, as it is the only place in the republic where the majority of the local council are Turkish Cypriots.

“I have the backing of the villagers, and most importantly of Hassan Mustafa, who is a member of the council and, at 75 years old, the oldest member of the community.

Taliotis said the government requested the villagers go to Nicosia to sign some papers but most of them can neither read nor write.

“Mustafa told the others not to go and he didn’t. When the younger village members went to sign papers, they didn’t understand that they were signing away the future of their village. Now they are angry and afraid, as they have signed one paper, they believe they will have to sign several more, as there are many vultures circling their heads,” he said.

Twenty people live permanently in the village, with the numbers regularly boosted by Turkish Cypriots visiting their home town. Before it was abandoned, the village had over 600 inhabitants.

Taliotis continued, “There haven’t been any visitors over the last few days, so they are unaware of the situation. But I believe once the Turkish Cypriots realise what has happened, they will take legal action.”

The doctor pointed out that the government should understand that the area is Turkish Cypriot owned and believes the European court for will lambast the state for “usurping and annihilating Turkish Cypriot land”.

“This is prime land in a beautiful location and this terrible practice must stop,” he said.

Andreas Evlavis, the district secretary of the Paphos Green party said, “this is a protected area, the bats are already scared and can be seen flying around in the middle of the day, this isn’t usual for them.”

Evlavis underlined that the mine is a new one, and work at the site commenced on Wednesday.

“They should’ve stopped working here a long time ago,” he said.

“Four years ago deputies promised to shut down everything. But this was a lie and now further licences have been granted.”

Evlavis continued, “The government must take measures to protect and stop this barbaric act. You can’t understand the cost to the environment. These stones add to the beauty of Androlikou. “The new mine is on the border of the gorge where protected bats live in caves underneath.

“The few people who live here and don’t have much power. We are trying to stop the damage.

“Only a few days ago, we had the elections with all the politicians saying how sensitive they are to the environment, and then three days later we have all this damage.

“It will cost the environment dearly. Where are all these sensitive politicians now?”


Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/

Why, give the current economic climate who is going to build the properties to take all this stone?

and did the owners of the land give their permission or were they conned?

Well now we know!...One day last year we was laying on our boat out at sea not far from the blue lagoon (akamas) when we heard a very very loud explosion, we were worried as to what it was as we were out at sea son it must of been powerful, now we know!!