Forestry Department Responds to Environmental Concerns in Akamas
In light of recent concerns raised by environmentalist groups, the forestry department has issued a statement regarding the ongoing road works in the Akamas region. The department emphasized that the current activities are crucial for the maintenance of the road network and fire breaks, especially with the summer season on the horizon. This maintenance is not only a preparatory step for the fire protection season but also essential for forest management and supervision.
Environmental NGOs, Terra Cypria and BirdLife Cyprus, had previously accused the forestry department of executing these works without proper communication with the ad hoc committee, which oversees the special environmental assessment (SEA). The NGOs highlighted that the roads being worked on are part of a network scheduled for reassessment by June 2024.
The forestry department clarified that the works are limited to sections where the dirt roads have suffered erosion damage. They stressed that these are not related to broader plans for the sustainable development of the Akamas National Forest Park. The department firmly denied allegations of arbitrary widening of roads, stating that the intent of the works is to ensure safe and efficient access for fire engines, staff, and visitors.
Despite these assurances, Klitos Papastylianou from the Initiative for the Protection of Natural Coasts expressed skepticism on CyBC, suggesting that the extent of the works goes beyond simple maintenance. He pointed out a significant difference between minor repairs and extensive widening, which he believes should have been communicated to and evaluated by the committee.
The forestry department maintains that these maintenance efforts are vital for protecting Akamas’ ecosystems and biodiversity from the threat of wildfires. As this issue unfolds, Cyprus Mail has reached out to the forestry department for further clarification regarding their coordination with the SEA ad hoc committee and is awaiting their response.
