It is everyone’s responsibility to preserve and restore natural ecosystems in Cyprus, Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis said on Friday as he stressed the importance of continuing to raise public awareness on environmental issues.

Kadis spoke ahead of Saturday’s World Environment Day during a visit to Spyros beach near the Larnaca airport, where he inspected work that has been carried out in the protected Natura 2000 area of the Larnaca salt lakes.

“The sand dunes are a particularly important ecosystem in Cyprus as they host several unique plants and animals and also protect our coastline,” Kadis said.

“The preservation and restoration of our natural ecosystems is not only the job of the government, but an important task for all citizens of Cyprus, as well as organised groups and environmental NGOs,” Kadis concluded.

Larnaca mayor Andreas Vyras, also on the beach, also urged people to show responsibility in protecting the environment.

“The wider area of the salt lake is one of the most important natural ecosystems in Cyprus. We cannot have a policeman every 100 meters patrolling the area, nor can we carry constant checks everywhere there is a protected area,” he said.

“That’s why it is everyone’s duty to protect Cyprus’ nature, as the environment we will leave behind is going to determine the world our children will find after us.”