Department of Forests of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment
Country | Cyprus |

Previously, during the occupation of the island by Turkey in 1570 – 1878, there was no systematic management or protection of the forests. The forests were then almost destroyed because of uncontrolled felling of trees and other vegetation, free grazing and large area land reclamation for agricultural development and also because of large scale fires.
The main objects of the new Forest Policy of the Department of Forests are:
- Sustainable development and conservation of natural resources
- Expansion of forests through the reforestation of government and degraded private lands
- Conservation, improvement and promotion of the natural environment and natural inheritance
- Extending and upgrading the infrastructure for tourist and recreation purposes
- Development and revival of the villages adjacent to forests
- Environmental education of the citizens and the creation of forest consciousness