Filenews 17 April 2024 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The Department of Forests provides answers in relation to complaints from environmental organizations about new irregular works for the improvement and widening of forest roads in Akamas. The complaints concern works carried out by the Department of Forests within the main forest roads of Ai Minas – Smigies and Smigies – Koutsagas, within the Akamas National Forest Park (SAR).
The Department of Forests, in an announcement regarding the maintenance of roads in Akamas, states that the necessary maintenance is carried out in the area on part of the road network and fire lanes, as part of the preparation for the fire season and the management and supervision of the forest. The works, he notes, are being carried out on selected sections of the road network where the dirt road surface has been severely damaged due to erosion. These projects, he argues, are not works related to the broader planning for sustainable development of the Akamas National Forest Park.
"The works include only basic maintenance of the road surface and under no circumstances are the roads widened. The works are absolutely necessary and aim at the safe and fast movement of fire trucks but also at the movement of personnel and visitors in the area. The basic maintenance of the forest road network greatly enhances the protection of ecosystems, habitats, habitats and other important elements of the flora and fauna of Akamas that are at risk of destruction by fires during the summer season", states the Department of Forests.
The Department assures citizens and organized groups, who may be reasonably worried, that it listens to their concerns and that during the execution of the works all measures are taken to protect the environment and the natural beauty of the area.
It is reminded that the environmental organizations Terra Cypria – The Cyprus Foundation for the Protection of the Environment and BirdLife Cyprus in yesterday's announcement express serious concerns and strong concerns regarding the procedures followed by the Department of Forests for the implementation of projects in such sensitive areas, without following the legal procedures.
The two environmental organizations request that the competent Ad-hoc Committee for the EDA be immediately informed regarding the works for the improvement and widening of the main forest roads of Ai Minas – Smigies and Smigies – Koutsagas, within the Akamas NFP. Finally, they call on the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment to ensure that no further works for the improvement and/or widening of a forest road will be carried out within the Akamas NFP, prior to the full re-evaluation of the Akamas SAR Sustainable Development Plan by the Ad-hoc Committee for the EDA.
