Cyprus

Environmental groups call for accountability over Akamas violations

By: SigmaLive English

Date:

Environmental organisations in Cyprus are calling for urgent transparency and accountability over what they describe as serious breaches of environmental commitments in the Akamas Forest Park development. In a joint statement, Terra Cypria, BirdLife Cyprus, Cyprus Wildlife Society, and the Initiative for the Protection of Natural Coasts accused the Forestry Department of violating multiple legally binding conditions tied to the Sustainable Development Plan of Akamas National Forest Park, particularly in the Phase A roadworks.

Their statement comes in direct response to a recent declaration by the Forestry Department, which claimed to be “fully satisfied and vindicated” by re-evaluations of the works carried out in Akamas. The organisations countered that all other members of the Ad-hoc Committee for the Special Ecological Assessment – including relevant government bodies like the Department of Environment, Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, and the Game and Fauna Service, along with other NGOs – have acknowledged the violations.

The criticism extends beyond NGOs. According to the joint statement, independent experts, the Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus, the Audit Office, the Parliamentary Environment Committee, and even President Nikos Christodoulides himself have recognised the Forestry Department’s failures. The Cabinet reportedly made two decisions on the matter in December 2023 and March 2024. Environmentalists are now urging the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment to stop tolerating the Forestry Department’s “unacceptable stance” and to immediately publish the findings of all related disciplinary and administrative investigations.

In a separate statement, the Cyprus Environmental Movement (PKK) echoed these calls, warning that those responsible for damaging actions in Phase A of the Akamas project should not remain in positions of oversight. The PKK also submitted a memorandum to President Christodoulides, demanding that impunity for those involved comes to an end, and called on the government to guarantee full transparency moving forward.

Feature photo source: BirdLife Cyprus

Also read: Fatal paramotor glider accident claims life of 31-year-old in Larnaca

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