Oropos lagoon photographed from northeast.

The wetlands and the lagoon at Oropos are important breeding and sojourning areas for many bird species.

However, the wetlands area has declined to less than 25% of the area 50 years ago, due to residential development pressure and reckless use.

The main area of the wetland that survives today in a mediocre or fairly good situation, is noted by the red polygon on the satellite picture below. The area noted by the yellow polygon has been scheduled for regeneration. Already, some of the area users have been evicted, but the procedure advances very slowly.

Oropos wetlands and lagoon on Google maps. Click on the picture to open it in Google Maps.

For the regeneration of the wetlands, a balance must be found between the demand for mild uses of the area, like swimming, kite surfing, bird watching, walks on the beach, and the need of the birds to have their own undisturbed space.

For this reason, rules must be established and followed for accessing the beaches of the wetland.

For example, kite surfing athletes must leave their cars out of the boundaries of the wetland, and not expect to go through it to reach the sea. The road that has been opened, with use of brought materials and crosses the wetland (red arrow on the satellite image), should be immediately abolished. Many athletes, already park their cars at the area shown by the yellow arrow, not burdening the wetland.

The road that many kite surfing athletes use (red arrow). Environmentally conscious athletes leave their vehicles out of the main wetland area (yellow arrow).

Unfortunately, quite some roads have been constructed by the Municipality right through the wetland area, in order to facilitate access of the swimmers to the sea, or even for facilitating the conversion of the wetland to residential area. The roads marked by blue arrows are paved roads. the one marked by the yellow arrow is a dust road.

I would suggest that only the paved road that leads to the beach is preserved, as a measure of balancing the needs of residents and the birds.

On the satellite photo, one may observe numerous vehicle trails, mainly by 4×4, as many traverse the wetland as if they were on safari, or meaninglessly testing their vehicles. This must be immediately stopped. Perhaps, information signs and obstacles, properly positioned, would help.

The uncontrolled traversing of the wetland by vehicles, mainly 4×4, has left big destroyed areas.

The uncontrollable deposition of debris and other wastes must be policed in order to be prevented.

Debris uncontrollably deposited at the wetland

Also, mechanically cut reeds have been observed in front of houses, with consequent destruction of nests of birds, reptiles and small mammals. This is an issue that needs to be policed.

Reeds are being mechanically cut in front of houses

Oropos Mayor has promised us that the project of the wetland regeneration and protection is advancing, and that he has secured funding. Let’s hope that something will come true.

Since 2004, WWF has been legally opposed to those who degrade what is left of the wetland. There have been convictions, but the wetland continues to suffer unacceptable devastating pressure.

The protection and promotion of the Oropos wetland could result into significant income for the private economy of the region, both from tourism and birdwatching.