Former directors of the Cyprus Forestry Department have written to the president urging him to reconsider the government’s decision to transfer forest firefighting responsibilities to the Interior Ministry.
They argue that the decision fragments the Forestry Department and undermines the holistic management of forests, describing it as irregular and unlawful. “The planned reform contradicts the provisions of the 2012 Forests Law and the 2013 national forest policy, both adopted after lengthy consultations,” the letter said.
The former directors stressed that protecting forests from fire is an integral part of overall forest management. Transferring firefighting duties and staff, they warned, would have serious consequences.
They noted that the majority of forest firefighters are permanent Forestry Department staff who in summer form the firefighting corps, while in winter they carry out reforestation, thinning and other forest management tasks. “If staff are moved elsewhere, huge and insoluble problems will be created in the department,” they said, adding that the existing system covers 60% of Cyprus’ land area.
The signatories also highlighted that the current forest fire management system is considered one of the most effective not only in the Middle East but also among Mediterranean EU countries. They questioned the reasoning behind changing a system that is already working efficiently.
They explained that any coordinator must have in-depth knowledge of forests and infrastructure, as well as conditions in each forest area – from vegetation type and density, to access roads, water collection points, terrain and firebreaks.
The letter concludes with a call to the president to reconsider, stressing that dismantling a system built on decades of expertise will only bring negative consequences.
It was signed by Loukis Paionides, Leontios Leontiadis, Aristos Ioannou, Alekos Christodoulou, Dimitris Christofides, Takis Tsintidis and Charalambos Alexandrou.
Copies were sent to the House speaker, the ministers of interior, justice and agriculture, the director of the Forestry Department, and parliamentary parties.
Also read: Reforestation in Limassol launched by the Forestry Department
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