The Department of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment has once again called on the Municipality of Akamas and the Paphos Local Government Organization (EOA Paphou) to assume responsibility for the illegal cafeterias operating within Akamas National Forest Park.

In a statement issued, the Department responded to recent media reports and announcements by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) highlighting the ongoing environmental violations. It reiterated that it had identified these illegal establishments from the outset.

The two unauthorized structures in question are located within the Special Conservation Zone and Special Protection Area of the Akamas Peninsula. They are situated on private church-owned land belonging to the Bishopric of Paphos, specifically in the Platanos area and near Lara–Toxeftra beach.

The Department of Environment emphasized that it had already sent two official letters to both the Municipality of Akamas and the Paphos Local Government Organization, urging the immediate removal of the illegal cafeterias as part of the enforcement of existing legislation.

“The Department once again calls on these authorities to proceed immediately with rectifying these violations, as their removal does not fall under its jurisdiction. Any further delay implies tolerance of illegality, allowing those responsible to continue profiting at the expense of the law and the natural environment,” the statement concluded.

Despite the clear environmental violations, the Ministry of Energy, through the Department of Environment, appears unable to enforce the law directly. Instead, it shifts the responsibility to local authorities, raising concerns about the effectiveness of legal enforcement in protected areas.