Cyprus forest cover rate at 18.6 per cent
Less than one quarter, around 18.6 per cent, of Cyprus’ total area are covered by forests, ranking the island below overall European levels, according to data published by Eurostat on Wednesday.
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Alarm bells in the forest
By Martin David Clark
Here in Cyprus, the wild mushroom foraging season is a bit ‘hit and miss’ this year, due, in my opinion to the impact of climate change. ...
Cyprus ranks last in EU for forest growth
Cyprus recorded the lowest forest growth rate among EU member states in 2023, at just 1.6 per cent, according to data released on Friday by the EU’s statistical service, Eurostat.
State ...
Drought threatens Cyprus’ ancient forests, officials warn
Drought has severely damaged Cyprus’ forests, with 40 per cent of the trees in the cedar valley having already dried up, according to forestry department director, Savvas Ezekiel.
Addressing the crisis ...
Forestry dept ‘on standby’ over possible forest fires
The forestry department is “on standby” and “conducting continuous patrols to prevent fires from starting”, its press spokesman George Constantinou said on Friday.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, he ...
Forestry dept calls for public to ‘honour’ European parks day ‘with respect’
The forestry department called on the public to “honour” European parks day with “care and respect”.
European parks day is held every year on May 24, with the department saying the ...
Multiple activities to celebrate ‘forest day’
March 21 is ‘international forest day’ and the forestry department has organised a series of activities for the public to participate in and raise awareness about forests and sustainable management.
This ...
Tatar wants 30 per cent of north to be covered in forest
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Friday said he aims for 30 per cent of the north’s land to be covered by forest.
Speaking during a visit to the north’...
Forest department proposes tougher penalties for wildfire offenses
The Department of Forests on Thursday announced the start of the consultation period for new legislation amending current laws, which would see more severe sanctions for starting wildfires.
The consultation ...
‘Big boost for forestry services’
Forestry college will restart diploma courses in September 2024
The forestry college will recommence its regular diplomas courses from September 2024, nine years after they ceased but the educational institution has not ...
Residents object to hosting of AfroBanana festival
Outraged residents of Dali on Tuesday complained the planned hosting of the AfroBanana festival in the nearby forest will damage local wildlife.
The Commission of Residents and Friends of Dali ...
Pine forests badly affected by caterpillars
Pine forests in Cyprus have been severely affected by the pine processionary caterpillar this year, with large swathes of forested land in the mountains looking like they have been hit ...
2022 was ‘excellent’ year for managing fires says forestry department
2022 has been the most successful in terms of fire management and prevention efforts for decades, the forestry department said Monday.
Of the 179 fires that broke out on lands managed by ...
Heavy traffic in some areas, many picnic sites overcrowded
Police said there was heavy traffic on some mountain roads on Monday while the forestry department said some picnic sites were overcrowded and it urged people to go elsewhere.
There ...
Forestry department calls on public to heed laws on lighting fires
The forest department is calling on the public to avoid any actions over the next two days that might cause a fire.
It appeals to the public to respect nature ...
Week to protect ‘national heritage’ of forests kicks off
Monday marks the start of Forest Protection Week, which will feature a series of event aimed at raising public awareness regarding the protection of forests, the forestry department said on ...
Forestry departments protest lack of staff on international day
Forestry department employees, members of Pasydy, held a symbolic protest outside the agriculture and finance ministries on Monday – International Day of Forests – to lobby for additional staff to help address ...
‘Exhausted’ forestry department staff continue work to rule
Forestry department workers continued a work to rule on Tuesday which they said will go on indefinitely to protest understaffing issues.
According to the forestry department faction of labour union ...
The wonders of the woodland
A rising global trend, forest bathing can boost the immune system, calm the mind, and even help us heal from Covid-19. Alix Norman speaks to three local forest bathers about ...
Forests, trees and food: a glimpse of a Cypriot future?
By Martin Clark
Cyprus has quite a bit of forest, 19 per cent as a percentage of land cover. In these days of climate change and drier and hotter conditions, the ...
Volunteers put out food and water for animals in fire-stricken area
Volunteers on Saturday placed water and feed troughs for animals in the areas that were burned by the fires last week in the mountainous areas of Larnaca and Limassol.
The ...
After the fire
We simply no longer live in normal ecological times and must act accordingly as fires are set to become more and more likely
With the smoke barely gone from the ...
Less than 20 per cent of land covered by forest
Cyprus is one of the five EU countries where less than 20 per of the land is covered by forest, the latest Eurostat figures show.
In 2020, only around 1 per cent of ...
Reforestation of burnt forest to cost around €180,000
The reforestation of Kakoradjia forest in Larnaca is estimated to cost €180,000 and will take about three years, the forestry department said on Wednesday.
The cost does not include the salaries ...