Forest department shuts Platania campsite, orders caravans removed (photos)

Local environmentfireTop Newstroodos Forest department shuts Platania campsite, orders caravans removed (photos) Forest Department Shuts Platania Campsite, Orders Caravans Removed (photos) Relevant News Two arrested in Kornos forest arson attempt case 4 August 2026 Forest department shuts Platania campsite, orders caravans removed (photos) 4 August 2026 Guterres’s seven parameters for a Cyprus solution revealed 4 August 2026 Angelos Nicolaou 4 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Department of Forests has suspended operations at the Platania camping site and begun a full overhaul of the grounds, a move that has drawn criticism from citizens who associate the area with their summer holidays. Behind the reaction lies a public policy question: under what terms an organised campsite should operate inside a state forest that currently hosts large numbers of people, caravans, tents and vehicles. According to the authority’s plans, the suspension does not aim to end camping at the site but is a necessary step towards reorganising it to meet modern requirements. The real question, then, is not whether camping should continue, but how the site can operate safely and properly in the years ahead. The site was closed to allow works to bring it in line with modern fire protection, safety, hygiene and forest conservation standards. Briefing campers last November, when the suspension was decided, Department of Forests director Savvas Iezekiel said the works would upgrade forest recreation infrastructure and improve the quality of services offered to the public. The works include improving and upgrading infrastructure, marking out designated parking areas for caravans and tents, and building up fire protection measures. Completing the upgrade requires the site to be fully cleared of caravans and camper installations. Last Wednesday, the Department of Forests issued a public notice confirming that “the Platania camping site ceases to be considered and/or to operate as a camping site.” It reminded the public that erecting, keeping or placing a tent, caravan, hut or other structure in a state forest is only permitted with the Department director’s authorisation. The department described the notice as a final warning: if campers do not clear the site within the deadline given, the department will remove the installations itself, with the cost charged to the owner. Safety, forest protection and equal access for all Fire safety sits at the centre of the new plan. In a forest setting, safety requires properly positioned tents and caravans, clear access for fire engines, defined evacuation routes and the ability to evacuate people quickly in an emergency. The major wildfire in the mountains of Limassol in the summer of 2025 showed that organised evacuation of campsites is a genuine operational need, when authorities had to issue evacuation orders for campsites and recreational areas across the wider region. The upgrade also covers modernising infrastructure: marking out camping spots, regulating parking, improving hygiene facilities, maintaining cleanliness and protecting forest vegetation. As part of the reorganisation, the department is also reviewing the legal status of structures or interventions that may not comply with legislation, to ensure the site operates lawfully going forward. Carrying out these changes requires the site to be fully cleared of caravans and other installations first. A central principle behind the overhaul is preserving the site’s public character. The Platania campsite sits on state forest land and serves as public recreational infrastructure. While long-term use may understandably create strong attachments to the site, that cannot turn a camping spot into a permanent or semi-permanent installation. Caravans left in place for extended periods, particularly alongside additional structures or modifications, can in practice restrict equal access for other members of the public and complicate the overall redesign. The site is intended for temporary camping, with the aim of ensuring it remains genuinely available to the wider public. The evacuation and redesign mark the starting point for a new system with designated spots, clear terms and transparent rules applying equally to all visitors. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Two arrested in Kornos forest arson attempt case Guterres’s seven parameters for a Cyprus solution revealed Weekend guide: Where to brunch, dine and explore across Cyprus Cyprus police officers to start wearing body cameras on duty Study confirms Cyprus nursing shortage, with deficit set to persist Things to do on Tuesday, August 4 Mostly clear skies with highs of 39 degrees on Tuesday Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.