Restoring Ammos tou Kampouri – before and after (images)

The Cypriot "monument" to the audacity surrounding the naturalization program, manifested as an environmental crime on the beach "Ammos tou Kampouri" in Ayia Napa, remains an unresolved issue that competent authorities sought to address following public outcry. The restoration works were completed two months ago, with the results visible in the photos published by "K."

Unfortunately, the removal of a single rock block results in irreparable environmental damage to a Natura site. Hence, the restoration efforts have only partially reinstated the site to its previous state, a point emphasized by experts from the National Technical University of Cyprus and the Cyprus Architects Association when the works commenced in May.

Parliamentary report

It appears that the restoration alone may not suffice to close the chapter on this audacious environmental crime. At the parliamentary level, the Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs is in the process of compiling a report. The primary objective is to document facts and responsibilities, as confirmed by committee chairman and AKEL MP Aristos Damianou in statements to "K." Regarding responsibilities, he expressed the belief that they won't be limited to acts and omissions but may extend into the sphere of criminal justice. The report will be handed over to prosecution authorities for further action. Damianou stressed the need for accountability, even belatedly, to penalize those responsible, considering the crime's hallmarks of corruption and complicity. He stated, "An environmental crime has been committed on the beach 'Ammos tou Kampouri,' which bears all the hallmarks of corruption and complicity. Therefore, the authorities should be held accountable, even if belatedly, to punish those responsible. And there are many."

Asked about the report's content, Damianou refrained from preemptively judging the findings in detail but assured that it would include a record of facts, acts and omissions, assignment of responsibilities (political, administrative, and possibly legal), and recommendations for next steps.

Parliamentary assessment process

The committee members are currently in the stage of evaluating the information gathered during parliamentary scrutiny. Damianou mentioned that the evidence is overwhelming regarding responsibilities, with almost all involved parties submitting substantial material, documents, and correspondence. Although the material is voluminous, the Commission has already reviewed all documents. They estimate that with one more session, they will conclude the verification stage to begin drafting the report with the aid of parliamentary assistants.

Restoration based on historical data

The meticulous restoration at the "Ammos tou Kambouris" beach drew inspiration from old aerial photographs from 1963 and recorded altitude maps. According to the supervising civil engineer of the contractor, Antonis Toumazi, they utilized boulders and other loose-fill materials from a local quarry to recreate the natural environment to the extent possible. A geotextile was placed between the fill material and rock armoring. The intensive summer work adhered to environmental permit conditions, completed before the arrival of specific migratory bird species in the autumn-winter period. Toumazi highlighted that the debris serves as vegetation soil, fostering gradual plant growth. Oversight for the project rested with the Municipality of Ayia Napa, while a Monitoring Advisory Committee, involving various authorities, ensured the project's adherence to standards. With a total cost of nearly 190,000 Euros, the Municipality of Ayia Napa shouldered the financial responsibility for this vital restoration effort.

[This article was translated from its Greek original and edited for brevity and clarity]