The Cyprus Department of Forests has closed a road in the Akamas National Forest Park from October 14-25, sparking criticism from environmental groups over the nature of ongoing works.
The closure affects the route between the Baths of Aphrodite and Fontana Amoroza, the department said.
However, the environmental organisation “Friends of Akamas Ecological Intervention” has strongly objected to the works being carried out on the road.
The group claims that proper Special Ecological Assessment studies have not been conducted.
In a statement, the organisation said: “We were shocked to watch helplessly on television channels the breaking of rocks by a crew under the supervision of the Department of Forests and the Department of Environment.”
The group noted that in July 2024, an ad-hoc Special Ecological Assessment Committee, chaired by the Department of Environment, discussed the possibility of carrying out “Preliminary Road Surface Normalisation Works” for about 500 metres in three areas of the road.
The environmentalists argue that a full Special Ecological Assessment should have been carried out, as the road is within the Akamas Peninsula Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area, in compliance with national and European legislation.
They further claim that instead of a collective and substantiated evaluation of expert opinions by the Committee members, the Environmental Authority prepared an “Evaluation Report” that includes conclusions and decisions for implementing the works.
The organisation also highlighted concerns about the enforcement of restrictions on private vehicle traffic, including quad bikes, as stipulated in a previous Environmental Impact Assessment.
The group referenced a 1989 administrative act based on the Town and Country Planning Law, which designates the wider area, including this road, as a Conservation Order area.
This order prohibits any alteration to the natural environment or construction work without the consent of the Minister of Interior.
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