Environmental groups criticize agricultural ministry handling of Akamas development

Environmental organizations BirdLife Cyprus, Terra Cypria, and OPOK issued a joint statement criticizing the Ministry of Agriculture's management of environmental violations in the Akamas National Forest Park. Following a meeting with the Ministry’s director-general for the environment, the groups stated that they were denied a meaningful opportunity to provide input. The organizations alleged that the ministry relies on pre-existing guidelines rather than engaging in transparent, informed dialogue. They further described a systematic failure to address environmental violations that occurred during Phase A of the Akamas sustainable development plan, which began in December 2022. These works involved the improvement of three main roads, where binding environmental conditions were allegedly breached. The organizations noted that while most competent authorities acknowledged the violations, the Department of Forests did not. These issues led to supplementary environmental impact assessments and subsequent Council of Ministers decisions aimed at restoration and mitigation, which the groups argue have not been fully implemented.