GOVERNMENT GREEN LIGHTS LIVE EVENTS AT PETRA TOU ROMIOU

 Cyprus Mail 14 October 2020 - by Jonathan Shkurko

The government’s environmental department has given the go-ahead for live events to be staged at Petra tou Romiou in 2021 despite harsh criticism from environmentalists.

Petra tou Romiou, also known as Aphrodite’s Rock, is one of the most important natural landmarks in Cyprus, and falls under the protection of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas within the EU.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the government said it has approved a dedicated ecological assessment outlining the conditions that live events at the site have to respect.

All must take place at least 200 metres away from the coast to avoid disturbing the natural habitats of the protected bird species in the area.

Lighting must also remain dim for the same reason.

Last week, the Environmental Movement raised concerns about utilising the area for concerts and other live events, claiming they would negatively impact its flora and fauna.

“Such events are a threat to the historical and cultural value of Petra tou Romiou,” the movement said.

“It makes no sense to spend significant financial resources on the management and protection of habitats falling under the protection of Natura 2000, and on the other hand, to destroy them with such reckless actions,” the statement added.

The area around Petra tou Romiou is home to one of the rarest birds in Cyprus, the Eleonora’s Falcon, which normally comes to breed from April until November.