Environmental violations and unauthorized works identified in Trozena village

Authorities in Cyprus have identified extensive illegal earthworks and environmental law violations in the abandoned village of Trozena. The site is located within the Cha-Potami area, which is protected under the Natura 2000 network. Investigations revealed that large-scale clearing and construction preparation occurred between December 2023 and May 2025, prior to the submission of the mandatory Special Ecological Assessment. These works affected multiple zones, including Nature Protection (Z1), Water Protection (Z3), and Residential (H1) zones. The Department of Environment has initiated onsite inspections and is considering legal action, including fines and urban planning enforcement. The proposed development project, which includes residential units, a winery, and tourist infrastructure, is now being evaluated as a unified master plan by the Limassol District Local Government Organization. An ad-hoc committee met on February 10, 2026, to demand further clarifications regarding the environmental impact of the unauthorized interventions.