No new quarry in Androlikou, conservationists plead

Environmentalists on Wednesday demanded that authorities stop turning a deaf ear to concerns over moves to create a new quarry in the area of Androlikou in Paphos, which has already been stripped bare by quarrying activities, they said.

Friends of the Akamas said the promotion of a new quarry based on a feasibility study was in direct contradiction with an ecological study from the department of the environment published in 2022, “which highlights the inconsistences of the state”.

“There is great concern over the promotion of a study for the possible creation of a new quarry in Androlikou near to protected areas, without even considering in advance other alternative locations not close to protected areas,” the environmental group said in a statement.

They said this development was in direct contradiction with the 2022 report, “which does not approve of siting a new quarry zone in the area and suggests an alternative be found”.

The Cyprus Federation of Environmental Organisations, of which the Friends of Akamas is a member along with other environmental groups and bodies, sent a letter recently to all relevant departments, highlighting the inconsistency.

Friends of Akamas also said that residents of Androlikou did not have their views taken into account when they protested saying that with existing and now newly promoted quarrying activities, their village would continue to die.

“We call on the authorities not to turn a deaf ear and to immediately stop any move to create a new quarry in Antrolikou before considering all alternative locations,” the statement concluded.

The issue returned to the fore in May this year when a meeting at the Presidential Palace discussed the need for quarry materials for major planned projects in Paphos, such as breakwaters and a potential marina.

Stakeholders made the case that the recent economic recovery, particularly in the construction industry in tourist areas, had led to a significant reduction in existing aggregate material reserves in the Androlikou area, thus creating a need for a new quarry zone.