The Paralimni–Deryneia municipality has begun planning a major redevelopment of Paralimni Lake, with preliminary estimates placing the cost in the tens of millions of euros.
The proposal includes a perimeter pedestrian route, a cycling lane, public squares, and new nature observation points. Four coordination meetings have already taken place with environmental and wildlife authorities.
Mayor Giorgos Nikoletos said the municipality has requested study funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and plans to seek European funds for implementation. The municipality is also asking for long-delayed expropriation procedures, suspended during the financial crisis, to be completed.
Paralimni Lake has been under Natura 2000 legal protection since 2009 and is considered one of Cyprus’s most important wetlands. A total of 186 bird species have been recorded there, including migratory populations.
A new meeting with the Department of Environment is expected in March to move forward with the environmental study process, aiming to balance visitor access improvements with long-term ecosystem protection.
