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It is indeed a great pleasure to be here with you today to welcome this important event, which marks the start of the Tree Week and is organised by the Department of Forests and the Cyprus Forestry Association.
The institution of the Celebration was pioneered in Nepraska, USA by Julius Sterling and was later established to be celebrated all over the world. In Cyprus, it was first established in 1920 by a small group of forestry officials and then embraced and celebrated every year.
The purpose of the Tree Festival is to cultivate love for the tree, to highlight its importance in our lives and the need to protect it. It is for this reason that events like today's are of particular importance and value, because they are addressed mainly to our young students, the generation that is the future of our country and in which we should invest more.
It is known that forests have a special place and importance in nature and contribute substantially to the social and economic development of man.
It is known that forests have a special place and importance in nature and contribute substantially to the social and economic development of man. The environmental functions they perform are innumerable and vital for the quality of human life and for the ecological stability of our planet. Particularly today, with climate change occurring on a global scale, forests are of particular importance as a natural shield to counteract global warming and mitigate the effects of climate change, which adversely affects our entire planet.
More importantly, it affects countries with a Mediterranean climate and those of us living in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, as we are increasingly witnessing the devastating consequences of huge fires, such as those of the recent summer in Evros and Thessaly in Greece, Italy, etc., but also from sudden changes in temperature, erratic and intense rainfall and flooding. These phenomena were, unfortunately, accompanied by terrible and extremely extensive material damage and, most unfortunate of all, were also marked by human losses. In order to address the adverse effects of climate change, the implementation of the "Plant for the Climate" Programme began in 2019 and continues in our country, through which forest seedlings are provided free of charge to both public institutions and organized groups. In addition, free saplings are given to the public during the Tree Week, in an effort to develop initiatives and encourage tree planting.
I do not think it is appropriate to go into detail about the enormous contribution of forests to man, as I am sure we all know about their multifaceted contribution, so I will limit myself to mentioning their greatest contribution, which is that they renew the oxygen we breathe and absorb carbon dioxide, preventing ultraviolet radiation from reaching the earth. Today, trees and forests are of even greater and special value and importance because of their contribution to tackling two major environmental challenges: climate change and the protection of biodiversity.
Unfortunately, there is an explanation for these negative consequences, which are the result of man's reckless activities, such as the overexploitation of natural resources, fires, environmental pollution and the development of tourism and infrastructure. All this demonstrates the tremendous pressure that man is putting on forests and the natural environment, with the result that large areas of the world's forests are being lost and degraded every day.
Dear friends,
As far as Cyprus is concerned, what I can assure you is that the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and the Department of Forests, as the competent authority, manage Cyprus' forests on the basis of the Principle of Sustainability, in order to ensure the maximum environmental and social benefit for present and future generations in a balanced way. To this end, and following modern trends and concepts, the Forestry Department has set as immediate priorities:
- effective protection of forests from fires, climate change and other factors,
- effective protection of biodiversity and other services of forest ecosystems,
- improvement of greenery,
- development and upgrading of forest recreational functions,
- support of forest villages.
I would be remiss of me if I did not mention this year's fire season, which has just recently ended. The improvement in the operational capacity of the Forestry Department as a result of improved planning and organisation and the strengthening of the Forest Fire Management System has limited as far as possible major disasters, Therefore, I feel the need to express my full recognition and appreciation for the important work performed by the staff of the Forestry Department, as well as by the other government departments and agencies involved in fire protection, who worked hard, tirelessly, methodically, coordinated and always with responsibility, overzealousness and, above all, professionalism.
At this point, I would like to stress that the Government will continue to strengthen the Forestry Department both in terms of manpower, as well as with wheeled and aerial means, so that the Department can plan and meet the challenges presented in fire protection and suppression with more confidence and, above all, with efficiency. Another important weapon in this direction is the modernization of both the Department's ground firefighting fleet and air assets. Recognising the need for the Forestry Department to be able to better respond to the ever-increasing and more difficult work it carries out, particularly during the summer months, appropriations of EUR 11.2 million have been included in the state budget for the new year, which are intended to cover the lease/purchase of two fire-fighting helicopters and the lease/purchase of the services of four fire-fighting aeroplanes. Provision has also been included for the hire/purchase of the services of one coordination aircraft together with the necessary personnel for a period of six months for 2024, with an option for 2025 and 2026.
Also included in the state budget for 2024 are appropriations 9.750,993 euros for projects through the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Dear friends,
The message of the Tree Festival and Tree Week is very important and concerns all of us. Our island's forests and greenery in general are our priceless treasure which should continue to be an integral part of our national heritage and identity. The love for greenery, the awareness for the preservation of the environment, let alone for our land, complements the will of the state and the efforts of state services for the protection, expansion and rational management of our country's forests. We have the obligation and responsibility to protect this heritage and pass it on to future generations intact.
Events such as today's should highlight the importance of trees and forests in general to man. We should not forget that trees have timeless values and go hand in hand with man, always bearing in mind that trees can live without man, but man cannot live without trees!
I want to express the certainty that the effort of all of us for the effective cultivation of environmental consciousness and love for the tree will continue to be consolidated and will eventually bear fruit successfully. I would like to express my thanks to the Forestry Department, the Cyprus Forestry Association, as well as to the management, staff and students of Kokkinotrimithia Primary School B, but also to everyone who contributed to the organization of this excellent event. I would like to wish every success and good progress to our young students, the future of this country.
Thank you.
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