One of two illegal refreshment stands operating in the protected marine area of Lara–Toxeftra in Akamas is set to be removed on Wednesday following enforcement measures by the Paphos district organization (EOA). However, uncertainty remains over the fate of the second stand, located near the protected Avakas Gorge landscape, due to legal complexities.

According to district organisation, an inspection confirmed that two unauthorised structures were present in the area, with one situated on state-owned forest land.

“For this reason, we informed the forestry department and the Paphos district organisation to take the necessary actions for its removal,” district organisation stated.

The second illegal structure, a container-style refreshment stand, is within the protected marine zone of Lara–Toxeftra. The site was levelled, and the unit was installed without permits. Ownership of the land is attributed to the Holy Metropolis of Paphos, which was officially notified on March 17 and given a seven-day deadline to restore the area.

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“If the Metropolis does not act within the specified timeframe, the Paphos district organisation will proceed with legal enforcement measures,” the official added.

In addition, the game and fauna service visited the site and issued a €2,000 fine to the owner on March 21, according to the service’s director, Pantelis Chadjigerou.

A separate case involves another refreshment stand near the Avakas Gorge. The president of the Paphos local authority organisation, Charalambos Pittokopitis, stated that if the licensing department confirms any unauthorised structures, enforcement action will follow.

However, he pointed out that the case is complicated. 

“It appears to be just a tent set up by a farmer to sell fruit and vegetables,” Pittokopitis said, suggesting it may not qualify as a permanent structure requiring removal.

The Green Party leader, George Perdikis, condemned both cases, stating that unauthorised refreshment stands had been erected without the necessary permits and must be dismantled without delay.

“The law must be enforced without hesitation, restoring the area to its original state,” he said.

Perdikis called for stricter regulations, arguing that illegal structures should be treated under laws governing derelict buildings, allowing authorities to intervene immediately without requiring a court order.

The illegal operations were initially flagged by the Cyprus environmental protection foundation (Terra Cypria), which notified the ministries of interior and agriculture on March 13. The following day, the environmental department sent a formal letter to the relevant local authorities, instructing them to take immediate action to address the violations.