Newsroom
The environmental group Friends of Akamas has issued a strongly worded statement expressing concern over the direction of road works inside the Akamas National Forest Park, saying the situation in protected areas is deteriorating rather than improving.
According to the group, the ongoing redesign and review of forest road projects in the park has failed to address the real environmental priorities. Instead, they argue that repeated and piecemeal interventions by the Forestry Department are causing further damage within both the park boundaries and nearby Natura 2000 protected zones.
The organisation claims that the continued construction activity, combined with what it describes as ineffective “restoration” efforts, is intensifying environmental harm and raising questions about whether the decisions are being made for reasons unrelated to conservation.
One of the main concerns highlighted involves the northern forest road linking Loutra to Fontana Amorosa. Friends of Akamas point out that official ecological assessments and strategic environmental findings connected to the park’s Sustainable Development Plan indicated that this route should already have been closed to private vehicles, including quad bikes. Despite this, they say the Forestry Department has returned with a new request to further upgrade the road, beyond earlier limited levelling works already approved for three locations.
The group argues that such upgrades are unnecessary and could effectively encourage continued access by private vehicles in areas where entry should be restricted for environmental reasons.
Concerns were also raised over the western road network connecting Aspros Potamos, Lara and Toxeutra. Friends of Akamas say authorities have still not shifted the planning of these projects toward what they consider the central goal: limiting private vehicle access to the park’s perimeter while improving safety for walkers and cyclists.
In addition, the group criticised the Forestry Department’s recent move to advertise park ranger positions, claiming the decision is being presented as progress despite the absence of a broader, well-defined management strategy. They also argued that the job announcements lack clear and meaningful qualification requirements.
Friends of Akamas conclude that without stronger protection measures and a clearer conservation-focused approach, road development within Akamas risks undermining the ecological value of one of Cyprus’s most important natural areas.
