Flamingos are leaving Cyprus's Akrotiri Salt Lake. The number of birds has dropped greatly. Last year, there were 13,000 flamingos. Now, only 47 are left. This is a very big problem.
The lakes are important homes for many birds. However, the water quality is now very bad. Development near the lakes also causes problems. Environmental groups are asking for help. They are worried about the future.
Nikos Kasinis works for the Game Service. He told a meeting that the number of flamingos is much lower. This shows a serious problem for nature in these areas. The lakes are protected by international rules.
Water going into the lakes is not clean. This happens even when there is no rain. The bad water cannot support the birds. Also, untreated sewage goes into the sea. This is a big pollution problem.
Communities like Asomatos and Akrotiri do not have good sewage systems. The Mayor of Kouria, Pantelis Georgiou, is unhappy. He said there is lawlessness and the water could be poisoned. Developers are also releasing water wrongly.
Eight groups are working together to solve this. They are making an Action Plan. It will be ready soon. They want the government to build more sewers. They also want to check how the lake is managed.
This problem is not just about birds. The water supply could be harmed. Cyprus may also break its rules for nature in Europe. People are afraid that the damage to the lakes is permanent.