Our View: Yet another failure in the long-running Akamas saga
The state’s plan for so-called sustainable development of the environmentally sensitive Akamas has been so bad it brings to mind the old joke: “They couldn’t organise a beer ...
Police investigate €30m aerial firefighting contracts
A growing police investigation into firefighting aircraft contracts issued by the forestry department on Saturday shed light on potential misconduct involving millions in public funds and the same companies repeatedly ...
Illegal waste dumping blocks access to fire lane
The forestry department on Tuesday found illegal waste dumped in a state forest in Pelendri that blocked vehicle access to a fire lane.
According to a statement from the forestry ...
Permit required for fire-prone tools near forests this summer
From June 1 to September 30, the use of any tool, device, or equipment that may cause heat, flame, or sparks within a state forest or in a 2km perimeter around the ...
Warning over forests as fire season begins
The forestry department has issued a warning to the public as Cyprus enters its peak fire season, urging residents and visitors alike to avoid any activity that could spark a ...
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Audit Office catalogues sorry state of Cyprus’ fire-fighting capabilities
The Forestry Department has failed to protect Cyprus against fires due to both insufficient air and ground-based equipment, auditor-general Andreas Papaconstantinou said in a report made public on Tuesday.
After ...
Disabled getting better access to forests
The Forestry Department is further upgrading recreation areas in forests to secure access and mobility for disabled people, it was announced on Friday.
The department said the works are being ...
Forestry department, volunteers reaffirm cooperation on fire prevention
Fire prevention and the role of volunteer groups in tackling forest fires were key topics discussed during a meeting between the forestry department and voluntary firefighting teams, reaffirming their ongoing ...
Forestry department warnings ahead of Easter
The forestry department has issued a warning targeting illegal cutting of trees for the traditional lambradjia bonfires ahead of the upcoming Easter holidays.
Emphasising that the felling of trees without ...
Forestry dept ‘violated terms’ of environmental impact on Akamas
The Forestry Department initially violated the terms of an environmental assessment for roadworks in Akamas natural reserve and now is refusing to accept them, four organisations said on Monday.
Terra ...
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 ...