akamas violations — akamas violations — Environmental groups have condemned authorities for their handling of violations in the Akamas National Forest Park, accusing the Department of Forests of arrogance and denial of reality.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
Four significant organisations—Terra Cypria, BirdLife Cyprus, Cyprus Wildlife Society, and the Cyprus Natural Coastline initiative—have issued a joint statement expressing their discontent. They argue that the Forestry Department’s claim of being ‘fully satisfied and vindicated’ following re-evaluations of projects implemented in the park is unfounded.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
The groups are perplexed by the department’s stance, pointing out that serious breaches of legally binding environmental conditions have been documented. These violations pertain to both the Sustainable Development Plan for the National Forest Park and the first phase of road network improvements.
Since October 2023, the Forestry Department has reportedly refused to acknowledge substantial mistakes and its associated responsibilities, leaving a construction site active in the heart of the Akamas Peninsula. This lack of action has caused significant delays in the re-evaluation and completion of projects.
Contrary to the department’s position, all other members of the Ad-hoc Committee for Special Ecological Assessment, including state services like the Environment Department and Fisheries Department, have recognised breaches of environmental approval conditions. Notably, independent experts and the Audit Office have also pointed out irregularities.
Institutional scrutiny has come from numerous scientific bodies, including the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber and the Parliamentary Environment Committee. In December 2023 and March 2024, the Council of Ministers made decisions addressing these concerns.
The environmental organisations are directly challenging the Forestry Department’s claims of vindication and are demanding clarity on the specific points where they believe they are justified. They have raised critical questions regarding the demolition of retaining walls along protected geomorphological sites, the removal of water supply pipelines, and the need for a comprehensive re-evaluation of hydraulic works.
On 23rd June 2025, the Audit Office released a special report on the construction works at Akamas National Forest Park, branding it as damning for the Forestry Department. This report has intensified calls for accountability, with expectations for a new compliance report regarding adherence to environmental conditions.
The four organisations are urging the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment to take a firm stance against what they describe as a culture of tolerance towards the Forestry Department’s practices unless she endorses them. They are also calling for the publication of all findings from investigations into violations related to both the Sustainable Development Plan and Phase A works at Akamas National Forest Park.
Adding to the discontent, the Cyprus Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Federation has voiced strong disapproval of the Forestry Department’s actions, labelling the ongoing works as incompatible and destructive to the area’s sensitive environmental system. They have implored the department to take the compliance reports issued by the Environment Department seriously and to refrain from what they term ‘celebrations for other occasions’.
