A public tender for the commercial felling of 605 trees in Diarizos Valley in Paphos within two protected areas of the Natura 2000 Network violates legal procedures of the EU environmental acquis.
This is what Philenews reported on Wednesday, quoting the Federation of Environmental Organizations of Cyprus (OPOK) which strongly objected to the state plan.
The Federation said the public tender was announced by the Forestry Department on November 24 with December 15 as the deadline for submission.
It provide for approximately 444 cubic meters of pine timber to be cut for firewood for an estimated worth of  €26,000.
However, the Federation noted that the affected area is of exceptional natural beauty. It is located within the administrative boundaries of the communities of Fini and Kato Platres in the province of Limassol and Agios Nikolaos within the Paphos district. And it is at an altitude of 700-800 metres.
In addition, this area falls within protected areas of Natura 2000 Network, and in an area which is permanently banned from hunting.
It also includes an area with the Paphos forest which is significant enough for migratory birds. This was established in 1989 by the Cyprus Bird Association.
