The last remaining sand dune ecosystem in Limassol Bay has been levelled, prompting environmental authorities to demand immediate restoration of the protected habitat.
The destruction occurred last week when excavators uprooted the dunes in an illegal attempt to develop the beach area near Pyrgos community for tourism purposes.
The incident came to light after environmental group Terra Cypria filed a complaint on October 28.
Environmental officials who inspected the site confirmed the damage and sent formal notices to the Limassol District Officer and the head of the Limassol Local Government Organisation demanding an immediate halt to works and restoration of the site.
The destroyed ecosystem, located in an area known as “Aoratoi”, spanned approximately 500-600 metres in length and 100 metres in width within a protected coastal zone.
Officials say it represented the last remaining sand dune habitat under government control along the 25-kilometre Limassol coastline stretching from Governor’s Beach to Lady’s Mile.
A 2021 survey had identified five types of protected dune habitats in the area listed under the EU Habitats Directive.
The site also contained 59 species of wild flora, including four sand-loving plant species listed in Cyprus’s Red Data Book of threatened species (Ifloga spicata, Neurada procumbens, Pancratium maritimum, Triplachne nitens).
The Department of Forests had proposed designating the area as a State Forest and Natural Micro-Reserve in April 2023, but the proposal had not yet been submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval.
The environmental authorities are now invoking conditions attached to the planning permission for a nearby tourist development, which includes a 300-room hotel and 40 residential units.
These conditions require the developer to undertake restoration work at their own expense if any damage occurs to the adjacent beach areas and dune ecosystems.
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