The operation of Cyprus’ shooting ranges is once again coming under scrutiny by the House Defence Committee. Tomorrow’s meeting will examine both the Tseri shooting range and the Kalo Chorio shooting range in Larnaca.
The discussion comes particularly in the wake of events last summer, when ammunition was destroyed using explosives during high temperatures, heatwave conditions and an orange warning issued by the Meteorological Service, resulting in a major fire.
Homes in nearby communities were also threatened by the blaze, once again raising questions about the procedures followed during activities conducted within the shooting range.
Affected communities have repeatedly called for the shooting range to be relocated, but the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard General Staff have categorically rejected such a possibility, at least in the case of the Kalo Chorio shooting range.
It is the largest shooting range in Cyprus, where heavy weapons exercises are carried out and obsolete ammunition is also destroyed.
Communities neighbouring the range have already met ahead of tomorrow’s discussion and agreed on the issues and demands they intend to raise before the House Defence Committee.
Tomorrow’s committee agenda, to which the Defence Minister and Chief of the National Guard are among those invited, includes two separate items: one concerning the Tseri shooting range and another concerning the Kalo Chorio range in Larnaca.
Both discussions are expected to attract considerable interest, with MPs seeking answers on various aspects of the operation of the two facilities.
Update sought on Tseri
In the case of the Tseri shooting range, a decision has already been taken to relocate the facility, with the Lakatamia-Tseri Municipality seeking information on the timetable for its permanent removal.
According to the municipality, retaining the Tseri shooting range at its current location no longer serves the public interest.
“The shooting range was established at a time when the area was entirely agricultural and far from residential areas. Today, however, circumstances have changed radically,” the municipality said in a letter to the Defence Minister.
“The continuous residential development of Tseri has resulted in the shooting range, where military exercises and shooting frequently take place, now being located immediately adjacent to homes and organised residential areas, creating a situation that causes serious concern among residents and is incompatible with current safety and urban development conditions.”
It is noted that, following the Kalo Chorio fire last August, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on CyBC radio that “the countdown has begun for the closure of this particular shooting range”, referring to Tseri.
However, he did not specify when the closure and relocation would take place.
