The president of the Chloraka Environmental and Cultural Group, Andreas Kyriakou, has called for intensified pollution checks in Paphos and stricter enforcement of environmental legislation.
Kyriakou made the call in response to daily sea patrols aimed at preventing and tackling marine pollution in Paphos. While describing the initiative as positive and necessary, he stressed that efforts should not be limited to the coastline.
Calls for systematic checks on land
According to Kyriakou, roads, parks, neighbourhoods, pavements and other public spaces are facing serious pollution problems, with rubbish being left in various areas on a daily basis.
He said the issue is no longer simply one of appearance, but concerns public health, environmental protection, civic responsibility and, above all, the enforcement of existing legislation.
Kyriakou questioned whether similar systematic pollution checks could also be carried out on land. He proposed establishing an organised network of cleanliness and environmental observers across Paphos district.
Observers could record violations
Under his proposal, the observers would carry out regular inspections and immediately record violations, while also acting as a deterrent.
Kyriakou said people who dispose of rubbish irresponsibly, create illegal dumping sites or cause damage and deterioration to public spaces should know that a monitoring mechanism is in place and that violations will have consequences.
He placed particular emphasis on the effective implementation of existing legislation.
“Laws do not exist to decorate books. They exist to be enforced,” he said, noting that some cities and countries have succeeded in making cleanliness and respect for the environment part of everyday culture.
Call for action rather than promises
The president of the Chloraka Environmental and Cultural Group called on the competent authorities to draw on successful practices from other regions and countries and adapt them to Paphos.
He also stressed that responsibility for maintaining a clean and protected environment does not fall on a single body. It is a responsibility shared by the state, municipalities, communities and individual citizens.
Kyriakou called for specific action rather than announcements, including more inspections, accountability, fines and effective enforcement of environmental laws.
“No more words,” he said, stressing that protecting the environment requires decisions, action and consistency.
He concluded that citizens’ behaviour towards their surroundings ultimately reflects the level of civic culture in a society.
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