Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment Dr. Maria Panayiotou, said on Friday that we will not allow for the Troodos mountain to burn and stressed that no permission is given to throw fireworks in the countryside or areas near forests.
The Minister, who was speaking at a press conference on the presentation of actions related to facing illegal and uncontrolled waste disposal, was asked about fireworks and fires.
“Under no circumstances will we allow Troodos to burn and at the same time throw fireworks”, she stressed, replying to a comment to that effect by a journalist, and recalled that when an incident happened some months ago, she had immediately given instructions to recall all firework permissions so that a re-evaluation can take place.
The Minister of Agriculture said that the proposal of the Mining Service, which is the competent authority for the permissions granted, provides for a tenfold increase in the fines for those who break the law regarding fireworks.
She noted that the licensing of any fireworks except those on the coast or in the sea from cruise ships has been terminated. When it is in the countryside or is adjacent to a forest, there is no permission, she explained.
Panayiotou noted that what is evident is that firstly, throwing fireworks in the neighbourhoods where there are people who procure illegal fireworks, which in addition to the nuisance may also cause bodily harm and secondly, that people should understand that when something is prohibited, it is prohibited for a reason.
She noted that the consequences of such illegal actions are often so great that we cannot reverse them.
However we address a damage on the environment we can not restore it at 100%, she said.
“If further tightening (of measures) is needed we will do it” the Minister said, noting that it is a collective effort and we need the citizens to support us to stop this phenomenon.
