Akamas national park plan scaled back as minister sets out green priorities
Agriculture Minister Christos Senechis told parliament the revised Akamas forest park plan cuts new infrastructure by about 700 sq m, while outlining four environmental priorities for the coming period.
The revised plan for the Akamas National Forest Park has been redrawn with a smaller environmental footprint, cutting new infrastructure by roughly 700 square metres, Agriculture Minister Christos Senechis told the House Environment Committee on Wednesday, as reported by the Cyprus Mail's Greek-language coverage of the session.
Senechis presented four main environmental priorities for the next period: resilient forests and natural disaster prevention, resilient nature, a circular and competitive green economy, and sustainable management of natural and mineral resources. He described cooperation with parliament as "an essential precondition for shaping stable, well-documented and implementable policies."
On fire protection, the minister said a budget of €25.5 million over three years has been approved for the transition to a modern forest protection system. He also said a comprehensive sustainability study for the national waste management facilities network is under way, setting the design framework for 2029 to 2035 and expected to be completed within 2028.
Turning to recycling, Senechis said smaller Green Points are being promoted in mountain and remote areas. State support for cleaning up illegal dumps has reached €2.22 million in total. On the island's uncontrolled waste disposal sites, he said that with works due to finish in the first quarter of 2028, Cyprus will close a decades-old environmental chapter for good.
Of the eight existing asphalt plants, four have secured greenhouse gas emission permits and one more is in the final licensing stage, while six new applications have been reviewed. The minister said the aim for construction and demolition waste is to cut the illegal chain of trafficking at its source.
On climate change and the green transition, he reported 142 emission allowance auctions generating net revenues of €109.04 million for the Republic. About 30% of the country's territory falls under the Natura 2000 network, comprising 72 designated areas — 39 Special Areas of Conservation and 33 Special Protection Areas for birds. He added that geological suitability maps are being prepared and studies launched for a National Critical Raw Materials Strategy.
Asked by MPs about animal shelters, waste plants at Koshi and Pentakomo, sea pollution off Limassol and the Cyprus Forestry College, Senechis said the state has a responsibility to offer citizens flexible solutions. He acknowledged "a failure in planning" for the Koshi and Pentakomo plants and said authorities must be strict, fining those who pollute beaches: "Our stance towards offenders will be stricter." Environment Director-General Costas Constantinou said a €1.5 million ministry plan for 2024-2029 allows local authorities to submit funding proposals for animal shelters, and that efforts are under way to settle the Pay-As-You-Throw scheme, noting nothing can move forward without local authorities.
What it means for residents
The Akamas revision and the wider waste and recycling plans touch daily life across the island — from how quickly rubbish is collected to what happens at illegal dumps near villages and coastlines.
- Waste services: New Green Points in mountain and remote areas could shorten trips for residents who currently drive long distances to dispose of bulky or recyclable waste; the Pay-As-You-Throw scheme remains unresolved until local authorities sign on.
- Environment and health: Timelines for closing uncontrolled dumps and licensing asphalt plants are meant to reduce pollution risks near communities, though the Koshi and Pentakomo plants still lack a clear schedule.
- Local spending: A €1.5 million ministry plan lets municipalities apply for funding to build or upgrade animal shelters, which may ease pressure on volunteers who currently cover most of the cost.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
