The Akamas Peninsula continues to face abandonment and environmental degradation, according to the environmental organisation Friends of Akamas, which is warning of prolonged delays in redesigning the road network within the Akamas National Forest Park.

In a statement, the group says that 15 months after a presidential decision halted roadworks, procedures remain stalled, leaving behind abandoned construction sites, unfinished structures and visible damage to one of Cyprus’ most sensitive ecosystems.

Following a recent on-site inspection, Friends of Akamas described the situation as “deeply depressing”, documenting open construction zones left in mud, culvert-style bridges built inside stream beds, many already blocked by debris, as well as corroding metal reinforcements and unsightly retaining walls disrupting the natural landscape.

The organisation warns that these half-finished structures now pose environmental risks and make future restoration more difficult.

The group attributes the situation to inappropriate road designs, which led to the suspension of works by presidential intervention in autumn 2023. Although environmental conditions were later imposed requiring a review and redesign of the road network, Friends of Akamas say they have received no updates despite submitting early recommendations.

At the core of the problem, they argue, is a lack of political will to manage Akamas as a single ecosystem, alongside the absence of a scientifically grounded, holistic redesign prioritising park management and alternative transport for visitors, rather than unrestricted private vehicle access.

Friends of Akamas also criticise what they describe as the abandonment of the original vision to designate the peninsula as a National Park or UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, warning that fragmented decisions are leading to wasted public funds, lost time and cumulative environmental damage.

The organisation stresses that the situation is particularly damaging as Cyprus prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, calling for clear accountability and urgent action to protect the Akamas Peninsula.