Acacias proposed for felling on the Pedieos River

The project study published on 18 June 2026 for the modernisation and expansion of the linear park along the Pedieos River in Nicosia includes a large-scale plan to ecologically restore the river ecosystem. The main measure in the section “Removal of invasive plant species” proposes the gradual and complete replacement of coastal acacia (Acacia saligna) thickets with autochthonous (native) tree species.

Negative impact of Acacia saligna on the river ecosystem:
The authors of the study point to the high aggressiveness of this plant species, which is harming the region’s natural balance:
— Suppression of native flora. Coastal acacia produces an excessive number of seeds capable of remaining viable in the soil for more than 20 years. As it spreads, it forms dense shade that literally chokes out Cyprus’s native riparian vegetation.
— Threat to fauna. Thickets of this shrub worsen the natural habitat and migration conditions for river turtles and other representatives of the local aquatic and riparian fauna in the Pedieos riverbed.
— Legal status. The plant is officially included in the list of invasive species of Union concern (EU Regulation No. 1143/2014), which imposes strict restrictions on its cultivation, spread and import throughout the EU.

Methodology and stages of removal:
Specialists stress that an emergency clear-cutting of the entire area is not an option, as the process requires a long time and considerable labour. The following course of action is proposed:
— Targeted control. Measures against the invasive species are planned to be carried out strictly in line with the “Guidelines for the Control of Invasive Trees in the Natural Ecosystems of Cyprus” (Department of Forests, 2013), using targeted chemical treatment of stumps.
— Order of works. The first stage will be the clearing of the undeveloped area of Anthoupoli, which is littered with construction waste. Next, the acacia will be removed from areas designated for infrastructure (pedestrian bridges, parking areas, toilets), and only then will work move on to the slopes and the active riverbank.
— Compensatory planting. In parallel with the removal of each infestation, traditional Cypriot trees will be planted, with continuous environmental monitoring of the site. The final schedule and work specification are to be approved by the Department of Forests.

Development of the linear park:
The Pedieos linear park, created in 2002, stretches for about 14 kilometres and connects three major municipalities: Lakatamia, Strovolos and Nicosia. The current project, being implemented by the Nicosia Intermunicipal Development Company (ΔΑΕΛ) under the leadership of Fivos Yavokidis (the contract was signed in 2024), aims to turn the park into a continuous “green axis” for sport and leisure for residents of the capital.

Public criticism of the project:
Despite the plan’s long-term environmental benefits, the authorities’ current actions have triggered protests. In early June 2026, representatives of the Nicosia committee of the “Ecologists’ Movement — Citizen Cooperation” said that in some areas (in particular, in the area of Kyriakou Erithrou Stavrou Street) fragmented clearing of greenery had begun before the project had been finally approved. Environmentalists are calling for any work on the banks of the Pedieos to be immediately suspended until all bureaucratic procedures are completed, reminding that the river is a unique living ecosystem requiring delicate treatment.