Achna votes again on crocodile park

The Achna local council will take a vote Tuesday evening on whether or not to give consent to the construction of a controversial crocodile park, following loud objections from local residents.

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The head of the Achna local community, Nicos Vasilas, told angry residents last month that the council would take into consideration all information available, including expert advice as well as public views, before taking a final vote on TSA Crocopark.

The company, TSA Crocopark, had previously sought and gained the reassurance from local authorities in Achna that the project would not be blocked at the local level after filing for the permit with the government.

But local residents, who got wind of how the Israeli-backed project was moving along, raised loud objections in a general meeting in April over safety concerns, environmental issues, and animal rights.

The tense meeting on April 27 was very crucial as it forced the council to promise they would take local concerns into consideration before a final vote.

Locals were citing fears for their safety in case crocodiles escaped as well as objecting to an animal farm where crocodiles could end up being bred for their meat and skin.

TSA Crocopark is planning to host about 100-150 crocodiles inside a specially-designed theme park in an area of about 25 square miles (40 sq kilometres). The proposed plan is for the park to be situated on the old Larnaca-Famagusta road between Achna and Vrysoulles.

The debate has been long and protracted with Vasilas visiting last year a similar facility in France, where he said the park was attracting 300,000 visitors annually.

Tuesday’s vote will determine whether Achna will resolve the issue peacefully or with more civic action.