Ecologists demand investigation into pollution at Larnaca Salt Lake

The Ecologists Movement has formally requested an urgent investigation into the Larnaca Salt Lake, a protected wetland, following reports of severe eutrophication. The environmental concerns were triggered by findings from Terra Cypria, which identified a concerning accumulation of “mallas” algae, indicating an influx of excessive nutrients into the water system.

The movement is demanding that competent authorities conduct immediate sampling and chemical analyses to determine the source of the contamination, specifically questioning whether sewage or industrial waste is entering the ecosystem. This latest incident is linked to long-standing environmental concerns in the region, including reports of wastewater overflow from livestock farms in Dromolaxia in 2020 and a 2023 incident involving liquid waste originating from the Aradippou Free Trade Zone that reached areas near the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque.

Authorities are now being urged to provide transparency regarding the frequency of systematic checks on watercourses surrounding the wetland. The Ecologists Movement seeks clarification on what specific measures have been implemented since previous complaints to prevent household, livestock, and industrial pollutants from damaging the protected site. The investigation aims to determine the root cause of the current eutrophication and ensure the future integrity of the wetland.