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Environmental Protection Association complaining about cutting of trees at Ano Korakiana cemetery

Environmental Protection Association
11 May 2022 / 19:57

CORFU. “The church council has decided to cut down centuries-old cypress trees, which will be replaced with Leyland trees.”

The Corfu Environmental Protection Association is complaining about the decision to replace the existing cypress trees with new Leyland cypress trees: “We were really surprised to be informed that the church council decided to cut down centuries-old cypress trees at the Agia Paraskevi cemetery in Ano Korakiana, regardless of whether they are dry or healthy, and replace them with Leyland cypress trees!
 
The reason for cutting down the cypress trees, as we were informed, is the extension of the cemetery to the north side. According to the residents, the northern part is empty, there are no graves, so there is no obvious reason for the expansion. We are not the ones to judge whether an extension is needed or not and whether it is licensed - the Planning Department is responsible for this.
 
As an Environmental Protection Association, it is obvious that we are against the cutting of healthy trees. Apart from this, the cypress trees are associated with the cemeteries and have been chosen because they are not affected by the climate and they do not uplift or damage the graves.
 
We have sent an email to the Metropolitan Church, and we have also made it known to the Ano Korakiana Local Council and the Forestry Commission, because we think it is important to know their position on the issue and we look forward to their response”.
 

For the Board,

The President,          The Secretary,
Vera Koronaki           Eleni Martzoukou