The area where most of the trees were cut was symbolically “fenced off” with the inscription “ecocide scene – no entry”
Citizens of all ages gathered this morning in Dasoudi Limassol to protest the cutting and uprooting of trees by the Forestry Department. The protest event was organized by the environmental organization “Friends of the Earth” and supported by several citizens and organized groups, among them the “Environmentalist Movement”. Also present at the protest was the Mayor of Germasogeia Kyriakos Xydias, as well as the candidate for Deputy Mayor of Limassol Miltos Papadopoulos. The area where most of the trees were cut was symbolically “fenced off” with the sign “ecocide scene – no entry”.
From the protest against the deforestation of trees in Dasoudi, Limassol. Photo: Yannis Pazouros.
From the protest against the deforestation of trees in Dasoudi, Limassol. Photo: Yannis Pazouros.
From the protest against the deforestation of trees in Dasoudi, Limassol. Photo: Yannis Pazouros.
Protesters held placards and banners with inscriptions such as “save the trees”, “trees not more cement”, “Dashudi belongs to the people” and “invasion in your hands”.
They also symbolically placed a wreath on a bust of Giannakis Potamitis who pioneered in the past to save the site. The text prepared by the organizers was read in Greek and English.
From the protest against the deforestation of trees in Dasoudi, in Limassol. Photo: Yannis Pazouros.
From the protest against the deforestation of trees in Dasoudi, Limassol. Photo: Yannis Pazouros.
What happened
We remind you that the matter arose during the week when the Department of Forestry sent crews to the area to restore the damage caused by the passage of the tornado on 14.2.2024. In the work done by the Forestry Department, there was extensive cutting of trees which did not suffer similar damage from the tornado. What is surprising is that in a special part in front of the beach, all the trees that existed and offered shade to pedestrians and bathers have “disappeared”. At this point dozens of trees have been uprooted, which is clearly not due to damage from the tornado, but to a decision to remove them by the Forestry Department itself.
From the protest against the deforestation of trees in Dasoudi, Limassol. Photo: Yannis Pazouros.
Responding to the criticisms, the Department of Forestry referred to necessary work for safety reasons. Also, as was said initially, acacias were removed, which are considered an invasive species and must be eliminated from the forests. A statement issued later states that “around thirty (30) acacias along the beach were uprooted and serious damage was caused to the crowns of thirty-nine (39) eucalyptus trees. The announcement also states that “no acacia tree that was not affected by the natural disaster has been felled”, while it concludes that “within two weeks, the Department of Forestry will proceed with tree planting in the area where the acacias were destroyed.
