Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou on Friday acknowledged the need for more work on the Pedieos river as she addressed the opening of the first Pedieos Sustainable Festival, highlighting the river’s environmental importance and its role as an urban park in Nicosia.
Theodosiou said that her office frequently receives complaints from the public about issues concerning the Pedieos Linear Park.
She underlined the value of the river as a recreational and social space for residents, particularly in Nicosia, where it flows as an urban park. Plans have been set to extend it into the occupied areas of Nicosia.
She added that a comprehensive development plan, developed with municipalities in the Nicosia district, includes interventions for the Pedieos river.
“There are proposals and requirements for its development, but most initiatives are fragmented,” Theodosiou said.
The festival was organised to unify various actions under one identity, combining nature, culture, and sustainability, to make the Pedieos river a model for other river ecosystems in Cyprus.
“We started with a small idea, and it grew to include approximately 85 actions implemented by ministries, state agencies, local authorities, NGOs, educational institutions, and 57 other bodies with five sponsors,” Theodosiou said.
Events began on October 29 with educational programmes, culminating in activities across municipalities and communities along the Pedieos on November 2 and 3.
Theodosiou highlighted surveys conducted with ‘CycloEcological’, aiming to systematically gather public opinions on the river and the festival.
“Results will be evaluated so that my office can return with proposals, collaborating with all of us to make the Pedieos a river ecosystem and urban park that befits both the public and the natural environment,” she said.
The Pedieos river is Cyprus’ longest river-torrent, originating from the Machairas national park and flowing through the Mesaoria plain. Historically, its waters were directed into wells around the Venetian walls to fortify the city.
