Public outcry over tree removal at former Larnaca General Hospital site

Residents of Larnaca have expressed significant concerns regarding the removal of mature trees at the construction site of the future Municipal building, located at the site of the former Larnaca General Hospital. Local citizens have criticized the municipality for failing to adequately protect existing greenery and for allegedly lacking transparency regarding the project's environmental impact on the area.

The Larnaca Municipality clarified that the project involves the removal of a total of eight trees, asserting that all necessary permits have been obtained from the Department of Forests. According to official reports, six trees—five dead cypresses and one rotten mulberry—have already been removed, with two additional removals authorized by the project’s technical study. To mitigate the loss, the municipality stated that the construction contract includes a commitment to plant 48 new trees and 165 aromatic shrubs in the area.

While the local authorities maintain that the removal is necessary and permitted, some residents dispute the extent and justification of these actions. They argue that the site previously contained extensive mature greenery that provided essential shade and contributed to the local environment, characterizing the current removals as a loss of established natural assets.