In its findings, the Audit Office notes serious weaknesses and omissions, as well as significant deviations from project timelines, in a special report on the management and implementation of projects at the Akamas National Forest Park.
As the Auditor General notes in his statement, the audit revealed weaknesses in critical and interrelated stages.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“A fundamental issue is the fact that the required impact assessment of the Sustainable Development Plan was conducted without first establishing specific conservation objectives for the area.”
It emphasizes that the protection of an environmentally sensitive area cannot be based on identifying problems after the fact. He also points out that the competent authorities must ensure that such shortcomings are not repeated in subsequent stages.
“Environmental conditions must be clear and, where possible, measurable; they must be fully integrated into the final plans and verified before work begins. Any substantial change must be subject to a documented review and approval prior to its implementation. The protection of Akamas requires effective preventive measures, continuous monitoring, and timely intervention. This is a prerequisite both for the protection of the area and for the rational management of public resources.”
View the report here
Key findings of the audit
Conducting an appropriate impact assessment without predefined conservation objectives: The Environmental Authority proceeded to conduct an appropriate impact assessment for the Sustainable Development Plan, without having previously established specific conservation objectives for the “Akamas Peninsula” Natura 2000 site. According to recent case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the establishment of specific conservation objectives prior to conducting the assessment is a legal prerequisite for its validity. At the same time, no Special Environmental Impact Assessment was prepared for Phase A of the road network, even though there was an indisputable likelihood of impact on the habitat.
Incorrect incorporation and deviations from environmental conditions in the construction plans: The legally binding environmental conditions were not properly incorporated into the final construction plans. A case in point is the hydraulic works on the Toxeytra – Avakas – Lipati, where the construction of box culverts was planned instead of bridges that do not seal off the riverbed, with the result that the movement of the critically endangered and strictly protected European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is not ensured. At the same time, deviations were found in both the road cross-sections and the widths of the roadways.
Unauthorized deviations during the execution of the projects on-site: During construction, the depth of excavations was found to exceed the maximum permitted depth of 1.875 meters, reaching up to 2.10 meters. In addition, increased widths were recorded in the widened sections and in the areas of intervention. The box culverts were constructed on top of the riverbed instead of being placed at a depth within it, while the fish passages were blocked by the accumulation of sediment. Existing oversight and monitoring mechanisms proved inadequate, as violations were not detected in a timely manner by the competent authorities.
Uncontrolled waste management: Serious deficiencies were found in the Excavation, Construction, and Demolition, which did not provide for licensed sites for their disposal. This resulted in the uncontrolled dumping of rubble and excavated material in various areas within the Akamas Special Protection Area, including on undisturbed land and in natural habitats, in violation of environmental approvals.
Ambiguities, waste of resources, and failure to comply with the 19 supplementary conditions: Following the suspension of work in 2023, the Environmental Authority imposed 19 supplementary or amended conditions. However, over time, 17 of these remained unfulfilled. The two remaining conditions, which concerned over-excavation, became effectively unenforceable, as the environmental damage had by then become irreversible. At the same time, a waste of public funds was identified in the installation of a water supply pipeline and cable with a total length of 3,800 meters, which were subsequently removed due to their environmental impact.
Erosion problems caused by external developments and new tenders: The reconstruction and widening of Lara Street by the Municipality of Pegeia was carried out without a prior hydrological study or the necessary environmental approvals. As a result, stormwater runoff is causing serious erosion problems on the road network of the Akamas Special Protection Area (SPA). Furthermore, the new tender announced by the Department of Forests in March 2026 included provisions that are inconsistent with the Decisions of the Council of Ministers or with the binding conditions setby the Environmental Authority.
The Audit Office’s Special Report underscores the need to establish effective preventive safeguards. As the report indicates, the protection of Akamas cannot be based on identifying environmental damage after it has already occurred. Instead, strict enforcement of the legal framework, transparency, and effective, timely oversight are required before any work begins on the ground.
