Efforts to keep Northern Cyprus’s coastline clean are ongoing, with environmental awareness campaigns gaining pace this summer.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment is leading the beach cleaning initiative with dedicated teams of environmentally conscious youth volunteers.
Organised under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, daily beach cleaning operations continue across key coastal areas in the TRNC. The project, which runs throughout the summer, aims to offer residents and visitors a cleaner and healthier beach experience while promoting greater environmental sensitivity and public awareness.
According to a ministry statement, volunteer teams are actively cleaning beaches in Gazimağusa, İskele, Yeniboğaziçi and Tatlısu twice a day. The initiative is carried out by young volunteers committed to protecting the environment. However, the statement also highlighted the persistent issue of littering by beachgoers, which continues to undermine the visual and ecological quality of the coastal areas despite regular cleaning efforts.
Minister Ataoğlu remarked that existing fines under the Environmental Protection Law have not yet achieved the desired level of deterrence among beach users. “Unfortunately, despite our efforts, the scene remains unchanged,” he said.
While stricter penalties and increased inspections are under consideration, Ataoğlu emphasised that genuine change would only come through a shift in public behaviour. “Environmental awareness must become a part of our character — a habit, not just a response to punishment,” he stated.
