Environmental Groups Criticize Cyprus' Department of Forests Over Akamas Management

Four environmental organizations are criticizing the Department of Forests regarding the management of Akamas, citing a "lack of understanding of reality." Terra Cypria, BirdLife Cyprus, Cyprus Wildlife Society, and the Initiative for the Rescue of Natural Coasts, in a joint statement, are responding to the Department of Forests' announcement, which states it is "fully satisfied and vindicated by the re-evaluations for the projects in the Akamas National Forest Park."

The organizations claim that the Department of Forests is violating the terms of the environmental approval for the Sustainable Development Plan and Phase A’ for the improvement of the road network. They point out that all members of the Ad-hoc Committee for the Special Ecological Assessment, except for the Department of Forests, recognize the violations.

Furthermore, they state that the mistakes of the Department of Forests have been recognized by the Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus, independent experts, the Audit Office, the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment, the President of the Republic, and the Council of Ministers.

The environmental organizations are calling on the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment to publish the findings of the investigations into the violations. The Cyprus Environmental Movement is asking for an end to impunity for those involved in the Akamas projects.