Filenews 28 January 2024 - by Dora Christodoulou
The rapid development of Chloraka in recent years has brought about great changes in the character and identity of the community. Changes that are not always made in the right direction, since, as is currently the case, according to complaints from organizations in the area, an important part of the environmental and cultural identity of Chloraka is disappearing.
It involves the felling of dozens of centuries-old trees that were important examples of natural and cultural heritage and which, according to the Cultural Environmental Association of Chlorakas, are cut down or uprooted to end up in firewood.
Speaking today to "F", the president of the Group, Andreas Kyriakou, spoke about the looting of the community's natural monuments. We sent urgent letters to the competent ministries and ministers, the Department of Forests and Town Planning, he stressed, but without any response and no interest, despite our constant reminders.
In the end, only the Department of Forests responded and we recently had a meeting at the office of the President of the Community of Chlorakas, said Mr. Kyriakou, who showed great interest in our suggestions for recording all our remaining centuries-old trees that amount to around 40.
An immediate order was given on behalf of the President of the Community Nikolas Liasidis to take aerial photographs and surveying of our centuries-old trees and all information to be sent to the Department of Forests and the competent ministries, and the recording has already begun, the President of the Group announced.
Most of the perennial trees that remained after the slaughter, Andreas Kyriakou points out, are terebinth trees (Pistacia atlantica) and a few oaks and olives. The Department of Forests, at the request of the Cultural Environmental Association of Chlorakas, he said, proceeded to the process of declaring the oldest Tremithos, located near the chapel of Archangel Michael. This more than 600-year-old historic tree awaits its official signature and certification by the ministerial committee as a perennial tree and, as provided by law, will be under the protection of the Department of Forests.
The members of the Club speak of reckless actions of some who destroy everything beautiful created by nature. These legendary trees, often associated with traditions, myths and legends, have stood the test of weather and time for hundreds of years and are there to provide us with oxygen against climate change.
"There is legislation based on the Forests Law that grows on land other than State Forests. However, it seems that the legislation suffers on several points and absolutely must be amended, particularly when building permits are granted. It is required to register the perennial trees where they exist by the competent state officials before permits are granted for development or construction of houses. In Chloraka, for example, when we asked the Urban Planning Authority if they have ever visited the areas that issued building permits, the answer was that they cannot visit the sites and make a registration because the staff is scarce.
That is, permits are given and the Town Planning basically has no idea what trees there are in each plot and the Department of Forests cannot then intervene because the state issued the building permit."
The perennial terebinths, witnesses of the history of the village, Mr. Kyriakou stresses, were one of the favourite and useful trees of Chloraka that gave natural beauty with their imperious appearance to the plateau of the village. In the old days, but still now, from their trunk and after some process, they took the tar and with it they made the famous Paphos tar. They also collected the fruit of the terebinth tree, the so-called terebinths and with it they made the terebinth oil used by housewives in their cooking. Also with terebinths they made terebinth pies or spread them salted in the sun to dry and used them in their diet.
