Over 500 applications for reactivation support have been submitted so far for the fire-affected areas in the mountainous region of Limassol, according to Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development Minister Maria Panayiotou. Speaking on Friday, she expressed satisfaction with the positive response from local communities to the government’s recovery measures.
The Minister was speaking on the sidelines of a meeting in Omodos with village leaders and farmers, attended by the Commissioner for Mountainous Areas, representatives from the Water Development Department, the Agriculture Department, and other officials.
In her statements, Ms Panayiotou said the government’s main concern is to stand by the communities and ensure the swift implementation of the announced measures.
“I’m here today to hear directly from the local leaders whether they are satisfied with the progress of the implementation and to take note of any specific cases that require a tailored response,” she said.
She added that she was pleased to hear that the measures have been positively received by both farmers and community leaders, who are playing a key role in advancing the procedures.
“We’ve simplified the processes and are moving forward without bureaucracy. Compensation has already been paid to over a thousand farmers. A small number of cases remain pending, where we’re waiting for additional documents from the applicants. As for the reactivation schemes, we’ve received over 500 applications, which is encouraging,” she said.
Asked about preparations to tackle potential soil erosion and flood risks, Ms Panayiotou said the Water Development Department has been on-site from the beginning and will complete its field mapping by Monday.
She noted that materials needed for the necessary works have already been secured, and tenders for additional supplies have been announced. “Our goal is to complete all work at high-risk locations around the communities by October,” she said, adding that the final figures will be available after Monday’s mapping.
Regarding the scheme’s provisions, the Minister explained that green firebreak zones and cultivated land are key to protecting communities. “This is also the focus of the Common Agricultural Policy, of the announced schemes, and of our revised strategy for the primary sector, which is more targeted and designed to encourage young people to re-engage with agriculture,” she noted.
“We have two specific reactivation schemes for this case, and I’m pleased to see over 500 applications submitted so far. The original deadline was 22 August, but following requests from local leaders, it’s been extended to 15 September. This is the first and most dynamic step in reactivation – returning to our land, cultivating our plots, vineyards, olives, carobs, whatever the area allows, so we can regenerate the landscape,” she said. She noted that cultivated plots had proven effective as green firebreak zones in previous cases.
Asked about the request to clear streams of burnt debris – which was strongly raised by the Omodos village leader – Ms Panayiotou clarified that the procedures are not bureaucratic.
“Our aim is to protect the life that exists in these areas without causing further environmental damage. The Water Development Department is providing guidance on how to carry out cleaning in a way that avoids harm to the local ecosystem,” she explained.
In response to whether this approach applies to the types of vegetation used in reforestation, the Minister said the ministry prioritises planting suitable species around communities.
“We always aim to use native, non-fire-prone species recommended by the Forestry Department. I’ve informed local communities that we will return in September with the Forestry Department to present our study for 245 communities, explaining how they can be protected using green firebreaks, and what should be planted to develop these types of protective tree zones,” she concluded.
Source: CNA
Feature photo source: The Revelator
Also read: Interior minister meets community leaders from fire-affected areas
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