A demonstration opposing the felling of dozens of trees by the Forestry Department in Dasoudi, Germasogeia area, was staged by environmentalists and citizens on Saturday morning.
Environmental groups, joined by the Green Party, Germasogeia Mayor Kyriakos Xydias, and concerned citizens, voiced their objections to the recent tree clearances in the area.
They claim that the Forestry Department attributed the action to damages caused by a recent tornado.
Protesters held up signs bearing messages such as “If the planet were a bank, you would save it” and “Dasoudi belongs to the people, not to the Forestry Department.”
Anastasia Korai, president of Friends of the Earth, criticised the handling of the situation, stating, “Following the cutting of the acacia trees, which were damaged by the tornado, all the acacias that were scheduled to be removed over seven years were cut down without a plan or scientific approach.”
Germasogeia Mayor Kyriakos Xydias demanded transparency and restoration efforts, declaring, “We demand restoration, and if it is not done as stated within two weeks, we will be here again.”
Alkis Papas of the Green Party denounced the tree felling, labelling it as “completely unjustifiable.”
Their demands include preventing unnecessary destruction through tree felling, holding the Forestry Department accountable for the trees cut down, restoration of damaged areas, consultation with Germasogeia Municipality, and disclosure of the renewal programme for Dasoudi initiated by the Forestry Department two years ago, along with transparency regarding any other management plans.
The tree clearances in Dasoudi, Germasogeia, sparked a wave of reactions from environmentalists and locals in Limassol.
In response, the Forestry Department explained that the storm in Limassol had led to the destruction of several trees in the area, with many branches posing risks after being cut by the tornado.
As a safety measure, the Forestry Department claims to have cut down 30 acacias and pruned 39 eucalyptus trees in Dasoudi.
“Unfortunately, it had to be done,” the Department stated, adding that the eucalyptus trees are expected to grow within six months.
The Department assured that they followed the guidelines outlined in the relevant manual for such cases and promised to plant dozens of new eucalyptus trees in Dasoudi within two weeks.
Moreover, the tornado’s impact extended beyond Dasoudi, causing damages in Fasouri as well.
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