Four environmental organizations—Terra Cypria, BirdLife Cyprus, Cyprus Wildlife Society, and the Initiative for the Rescue of Natural Coasts—are urging the Department of Forests and other relevant authorities to take immediate action to remediate the environmental damage caused by road construction in the Akamas Peninsula.

In a joint statement, the organizations call for strict adherence to the legally binding conditions outlined in the Special Ecological Assessment Report to restore environmental damage, redesign hydraulic projects, and reduce the ecological footprint in the area.

The environmental groups stress the need for the final construction plans to fully comply with the legally mandated terms of the Phase A EOA report. They also highlight that the timelines set by the Council of Ministers on December 20, 2023, and March 19, 2024, have not been met.

A particular concern is the hydraulic projects, overseen by the Water Development Department (WDD). The organizations emphasize that the hydraulic works in the Toxeutra-Avakas area should have been reviewed by the WDD for potential modifications.

The department has already proposed measures, which the organizations support, including: Demolition of existing culverts and redesign and reconstruction of proposed bridges and crossings along the Toxeutra-Avakas road.

Beyond the immediate restoration efforts, the organizations demand:

• Reevaluation and revision of the Sustainable Development Plan for the Akamas National Forest Park

• Revised timelines for completing Phase A projects

• Closure of unauthorized access roads and illegal pathways leading to the coastline

• Removal of all unauthorized structures and accommodations

• Issuance of Protection and Management Decrees for the Natura 2000 sites in the Akamas Peninsula

The groups further revealed that they have sent three letters to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment between June and October 2024 but have yet to receive any response.