Birdlife says Akamas audit report reinforces environmental groups’ warnings

Nicosia, Cyprus. Birdlife said on Thursday that the audit office’s latest report on Akamas reinforces repeated warnings by environmental groups about inadequate supervision and other serious shortcomings in the area over several years.

Longstanding concerns

Responding to the findings published on Wednesday, Birdlife said the multi-page special report on the planning and implementation of projects in the Akamas National Forest Park did not reveal a previously unknown situation.

The group described Akamas as “perhaps the most telling example of the weaknesses in Cyprus’ environmental protection system”. It cited an inadequate institutional framework, problematic environmental assessment procedures, tolerance of illegal activities and a lack of coordination between the competent authorities.

“These findings once again vindicate the environmental organisations, which as early as October 2023 had reported serious deviations from the approved, legally binding and essential environmental conditions,” Birdlife said.

Those complaints led to the suspension of road works in Akamas in December 2023.

Reassessment remains pending

“It is particularly worrying that, despite the passage of almost three years, key issues remain unresolved,” the group said.

Birdlife added that cabinet decisions to reassess the project had yet to be implemented, despite the government’s commitment to a June 2024 deadline.

The group also highlighted the report’s finding that the special environmental assessment of the sustainable development plan for the Akamas National Forest Park was conducted without first establishing the conservation objectives needed for an adequate assessment.

“Consequently, the competent authorities must not assess and authorise projects and activities in protected areas where there are no specific conservation objectives on which to base a full and adequate assessment of environmental impacts,” Birdlife said.

Possible referral to attorney-general

Birdlife said the report’s findings pointed to a “broader failure on part of the state and its institutions” to protect Akamas, alongside a lack of coordination between the competent bodies to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

“The audit office’s intention to forward the report to the attorney-general, so that he may decide whether there are grounds to investigate the possible commission of offences, underlines the seriousness of the findings,” the group added.