The Forestry Department is launching a major reforestation campaign in mountainous Limassol, aiming to restore areas affected by recent wildfires. According to an announcement shared on social media, the goal is to plant up to 20,000 saplings with the help of volunteers, community organisations, and local authorities.
The Department, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, stated that it will proceed with replanting in community, public, ecclesiastical, and other shared spaces in all affected villages. Field visits by forestry officers have already taken place, and the planting is scheduled for the upcoming planting season, from November 2025 to February 2026. The saplings will be provided free of charge by the Department, which will also handle the planting.
In mid-September, the Forestry Department also plans to launch the “I Plant for the Climate” initiative. Under this programme, municipalities, communities, and private landowners whose land was damaged by fire can collaborate with volunteer groups to participate in reforestation efforts. While the Department will supply the trees, planting and maintenance will be the responsibility of the approved participants.
As for privately owned and communal uncultivated land in semi-mountainous areas, natural regeneration is expected to occur following the first autumn rains. The Department notes that such areas are equipped with natural mechanisms for regeneration, either through resprouting or germination from existing seeds.
Finally, the Department expressed its gratitude for the public’s role in helping to contain the recent fires. It encouraged people join upcoming planting events and other restoration activities during the planting season.
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