**Mazotos Residents Demand Cancellation of Desalination Plant Decision**
Mazotos, Cyprus – Residents of Mazotos and their community council have formally requested the cancellation of a decision to construct a desalination plant along the coast, citing a lack of public consultation and insufficient environmental studies. This appeal was made during a meeting with Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis on Wednesday, as reported by Eleni Haili, spokesperson for the local initiative group advocating for the preservation of the Mazotos coast.
The opposition to the desalination plant has been a growing concern among the community since the project was first announced earlier this year. Haili noted that the initiative group, known as "Save the Coast," comprises approximately 350 members who are united in their opposition to the facility. During the meeting, residents expressed their belief that the construction of the plant could lead to irreversible damage to the marine environment.
"We are absolutely convinced that this specific decision will cause irreversible impacts on the marine environments," Haili stated. She emphasized that the community council and the initiative group unanimously requested the decision be withdrawn, highlighting the need for a more thorough examination of the project's implications.
Minister Senekis reportedly listened to the residents' concerns and indicated that their request for reconsideration of the desalination plant's approval would be taken into account. The proposed facility has been a contentious issue, with local residents arguing that their voices and the insights of scientific experts were overlooked during the planning process.
Mazotos mukhtar Georgios Paphitis previously mentioned that an independent study had advised against situating a desalination plant in the area due to the presence of protected habitats. The community council has called for an independent environmental impact assessment to be conducted, along with a thorough exploration of alternative locations for the plant. They have also insisted that national and European environmental regulations be strictly adhered to throughout the process.
Concerns have been raised specifically regarding the Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows and coral reefs located in the vicinity of the proposed site. The residents argue that the plant should not be classified merely as a mobile desalination unit but rather as a "heavy industrial installation," which could significantly disrupt the coastal landscape and jeopardize the stability of the surrounding area.
While acknowledging Cyprus' ongoing water scarcity issues, residents of Mazotos have expressed their belief that the construction of the desalination plant on what they describe as an "unspoiled coast" is unacceptable. They assert that the environmental costs of such a project far outweigh the benefits, particularly in a region known for its natural beauty and ecological significance.
As the community continues to voice their concerns, the outcome of the discussions with Minister Senekis remains to be seen. The residents of Mazotos are hopeful that their plea will lead to a reconsideration of the desalination plant's approval and a more comprehensive evaluation of its potential environmental impacts.