Cyprus-Forum.com

[brother]

North housing boom

affecting environment

VARIOUS ecological problems have been created by the construction explosion in the north and the increase in building activity could leave the occupied areas short of decent drinking water, according to Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI.

The paper says environmental organisations in the north warn that buildings are being constructed on top of water reserves and the way things are going no drinkable water will be left in that part of island.

Environmental groups also noted that green areas are vanishing in occupied Cyprus as a result of the increase in the amount of land of being built on and blame this development on a lack of ‘political’ will.

Speaking to HALKIN SESI, Bulent Arkin, "director of the environment protection department" said the construction surge is a disaster with huge environmental image of unexpected levels that those in charge do not intend to stop.

Oral Andiz, an environmentalist, said the construction explosion is very dangerous and if it continued in this way no drinkable water will be left in occupied Kyrenia after five years.

Dogan Sahir, chairman of the Platform for the Protection of the Environment, stated that the dangers created from the construction will be "like an uncontrollable tsunami."