Toxic caterpillars a threat to Cyprus’ forests
The story goes like this: moths laying eggs in hanging weblike nests that drop to the ground when they have served their purpose, larva hatching out and eating pines trees ...
Scientists find bats migrating across Cyprus for the first time
For the first time, bats that breed in coastal caves have been observed migrating across the country to spend the winter in Troodos. During their journey from the coast to ...
Forestry college reopens after nearly a decade
The Cyprus government has taken a major step in reviving the country’s forestry sector by reopening the Cyprus forestry college after nearly a decade. The initiative aims to equip ...
Animal Party proposes “Adopt My Christmas Tree” programme
The Cyprus Animal Party has proposed the adoption of an “Adopt My Christmas Tree” programme to help reduce excessive logging and promote sustainable tree use.
In a statement, the party ...
Environmental NGOs call for compliance with Akamas report
Four environmental organisations slammed the forestry department on Tuesday for not sticking to the guidelines of a Special Ecological Assessment Report (SEA) covering works in the Akamas.
Terra Cypria and ...
Three forestry employees suspended over firefighting tender probe
The Public Service Commission (PSC) on Friday suspended three employees from the forestry department following receipt of a letter from the agriculture minister in connection with possible criminal offences related ...
Forestry department warns against driving in state forests
The forestry department on Wednesday urged the public to avoid driving through state forests, as this could disturb birds of prey that are in their nesting and breeding season.
Drivers ...
Mass fish die-off at Athalassa Lake under investigation
Authorities are investigating the cause of a mass fish die-off at Athalassa Lake, where dead fish have been found floating across the water.
Forestry department official Loizos Constantinou said a ...
Dos and don’ts ahead of mushroom season
The use of tools to find or pick mushrooms is prohibited, the forestry department said on Monday ahead of the mushroom picking season.
Those caught using tools to find or ...
Forestry dept warns of extreme fire risk amid strong winds
The forestry department on Friday issued a warning regarding the heightened risk of forest fires until Sunday due to strong to very strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 6 Beaufort.
...
‘Fire is sometimes a forest’s friend’
The summer period being marked by fires raises questions about the future of forests and the impact on the environment and humans as they are replaced by burned out areas, ...
Forestry dept thanks members of public who put fire out
The forestry department on Sunday thanked a group of members of the public who stepped in to put a fire out in the Paphos district on Saturday.
“An example to ...
Forestry department hires 118 new firefighters
The forestry department has strengthened its workforce by hiring 118 new forest firefighters to be stationed across districts in Cyprus.
According to a statement released on Thursday, a total of 30 firefighters ...
Forestry department sends firefighting planes to North Macedonia
The forestry department on Wednesday announced that it had dispatched two firefighting planes to North Macedonia to assist with forest fires in the areas of Chashka and Sveti Nikole.
The ...
Forestry dept gets 108 staff boost
The immediate hiring of 108 contract workers for the Forestry Department was approved on Wednesday by the cabinet.
The new staff will cover needs in “firefighters, special vehicle operators and fireguards”.
...
Forestry department ready for fire season (Updated)
The two helicopters from Jordan are in full operational readiness on Monday to assist in firefighting and crews have been fully trained, the forestry department announced.
Meanwhile, the awarding of ...
Forestry department warns against illegal tree felling
The forestry department on Tuesday reminded the public that felling of trees for the purpose of burning them in Easter bonfires is illegal and a punishable offence.
According to its ...
Renewed Akamas works ‘crucial for fire safety’
The forestry department on Wednesday responded to a renewed alert issued by environmentalist groups concerning road works being carried out in Akamas.
According to the forestry department’s statement the ...
Cyprus left without firefighting aircraft
Cyprus currently has no firefighting aircraft available to use in case of a forest fire, as temperatures begin to soar, it emerged on Wednesday.
The statement was made by senior ...
Forestry department bolstered with new equipment
Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou on Friday inspected vehicles and equipment recently received by the forestry department at Athalassa through the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The minister said that with a ...
Forest department proposes tougher penalties for wildfire offenses
The Department of Forests on Thursday announced the start of the consultation period for new legislation amending current laws, which would see more severe sanctions for starting wildfires.
The consultation ...
Forestry Department head defends Akamas roadworks
The roads being built in Akamas are not wider than originally planned, the outgoing head of the forestry department Charalambos Alexandrou said on Monday, in a swansong statement on the ...
Forestry department runs blood drive ahead of ‘Tree Week’
The forestry department on Thursday carried out a blood donation drive in preparation of ‘Tree Week’, which is set to start on Sunday.
The initiative extended to the blood bank ...
Forestry department blames electricity authority for summer fires
The forestry department in a written report has blamed the electricity authority (EAC) for the near catastrophic fire in Paphos forest, as well as that in Palaichori, this past summer.
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