akamas roadworks — The forestry department’s approval of roadworks in Akamas has sparked outrage among environmental organisations, who have branded their reaction as ‘arrogant’ and ‘provocative’.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
- akamas roadworks — The forestry department's approval of roadworks in Akamas has sparked outrage among environmental organisations, who have branded their reaction as 'arrogant' and 'provocative'.
- As the situation develops, the tension between the forestry department and environmental advocates remains palpable, with the future of the Akamas national forest park hanging in the balance.
On Wednesday, the forestry department expressed satisfaction with a recent report that allowed roadworks to resume in the Akamas national forest park, stating it felt ‘justified’ by the findings. This sentiment was met with widespread criticism from groups such as Terra Cypria, BirdLife Cyprus, Cyprus Wildlife Society, and Cyprus Natural Coastline. In a press release issued on Thursday, these organisations condemned the forestry department’s stance, which they believe disregards significant environmental concerns.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
The environment department had previously announced on August 12 that it had green-lit the recommencement of halted roadworks within Akamas. These works were put on hold in October 2023 due to intense backlash, particularly directed at the forestry department. The environmental organisations expressed disbelief at the forestry department’s assertion of satisfaction, highlighting a history of violations associated with the project.
In their press release, the environmental groups accused the forestry department of failing to acknowledge numerous breaches of legally binding conditions set out in the environmental approval for the Akamas national forest park’s sustainable development plan. They stated that everyone involved in the project, except for the forestry department, recognised these violations. Noteworthy entities such as Etek, independent experts, and the Audit Office have all flagged concerns regarding the forestry department’s oversight.
Critically, the organisations pointed to specific changes that should have warranted serious reflection from the forestry department. Among the issues raised were the demolition of support walls on protected landforms, and the removal of a vital water pipeline in the region. They urged the forestry department to take responsibility for the environmental damage already inflicted and to commit to restoration efforts.
In a parallel development, the Cyprus Environmental Movement has submitted a memorandum to President Nikos Christodoulides, emphasising the irreversible damage caused to the environment. Their statement called for full transparency regarding the administrative reports related to Akamas, stressing the importance of accountability for those responsible for the ongoing environmental issues.
The memorandum highlights a critical concern: the same individuals who oversaw the flawed works in Akamas cannot be trusted to monitor compliance in the future. The environmental movement called for the punishment of those involved, stating that past experiences demonstrate that environmental destruction is often irreversible.
In recent months, the Akamas project has faced increasing scrutiny, leading to a reassessment ordered by the cabinet in December 2023, following widespread criticism. A special ecological assessment was subsequently released in March 2024, focusing on the potential impacts of the roadworks on protected species and habitats within the Natura 2000 network.
Despite these assessments and the ongoing backlash, the forestry department continues to assert its position. The environmental organisations have called for the agriculture minister, Maria Panayiotou, to intervene and reconsider the forestry department’s stance. They are demanding that findings from all administrative investigations be made public to ensure that accountability and transparency prevail.
As the situation develops, the tension between the forestry department and environmental advocates remains palpable, with the future of the Akamas national forest park hanging in the balance.
