State forest land leases under the microscope of the Audit Committee

The Cypriot Parliamentary Control Committee discussed the Auditor General's 2023 report on the Forest Department, focusing on state forest land leases. The report highlighted irregularities in several cases, including a problematic application for an adventure park in Fini and a camping site in Machairas forest approved despite environmental concerns. Leases for a school in Polemidia and hotels in Ayia Napa were also scrutinized, revealing procedural weaknesses and disagreements over rent calculations. A legal battle over rent revision at a Troodos hotel was mentioned, along with a lawsuit regarding illegal occupation in the Akademia Forest. The report covers the period between 2018-2024.