**New Androlikou Quarry Proposal Sparks Environmental Concerns**
A proposed quarry in Androlikou has raised significant alarm among environmental organizations, with the federation of environmental NGOs, known as Opok, asserting that the project would cause “irreversible damage” to one of Cyprus’ most ecologically sensitive regions. On Wednesday, Opok called for an immediate suspension of all further licensing for the quarry, citing serious concerns regarding the environmental impact of the proposed extraction activities.
The quarry is planned to extract approximately 900,000 cubic meters of limestone over a period of two to three years, utilizing around 315,000 kilograms of explosives. Opok argues that such extensive operations, conducted in close proximity to the Androlikou Gorge, would lead to devastating consequences for the local ecosystem. The organization criticized a special ecological assessment prepared by the environment department, claiming that it significantly underestimated the potential negative impacts of the quarrying activities.
Opok highlighted that the proposed site for the quarry would necessitate the complete removal of all vegetation, including an estimated 2,400 trees. The federation warned that this would lead to “intense and irreversible change in the natural landscape” and result in the loss of critical habitats in an area already suffering from the effects of existing quarrying operations.
The proposed quarry site is adjacent to an existing quarry zone, which Opok argues is part of a broader mining operation. The organization noted that approximately 31 percent of the proposed area has already been subject to quarrying activities without the necessary permits, raising further concerns about regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship.
The Androlikou region is part of the Natura 2000 network, which includes habitats that are protected under European Union legislation as part of the Akamas peninsula conservation area. Opok contends that the area should be designated as a buffer zone to protect the Androlikou Gorge, rather than being further exploited for quarrying.
The proposal has reignited a long-standing dispute between quarry operators and environmental advocates. Quarry companies argue that the existing limestone reserves in Androlikou are nearing depletion and that additional extraction is essential to meet the demand for construction materials needed for major infrastructure projects in the Paphos region. They maintain that the quarrying activities are necessary for economic development and the ongoing construction boom.
Conversely, environmental groups have consistently opposed the expansion of quarrying in the area, citing the significant ecological damage already inflicted by previous operations. They advocate for the identification of new extraction sites that are located outside of protected areas to mitigate environmental harm.
As the debate continues, the future of the proposed Androlikou quarry remains uncertain. The environmental implications of the project are significant, and the call from Opok for a halt to further licensing reflects the ongoing tension between economic development and environmental conservation in Cyprus. Stakeholders from both sides of the issue are expected to engage in further discussions as they seek a resolution that balances the need for construction materials with the imperative of protecting the island's natural heritage.