On January 19 and 20, the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" plans to survey 50 forest areas in the Carpathian mountain pasture of Runa. Environmental activists believe this is preparation for tree felling in order to bring power lines to controversial wind farms.
The Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group (UNCG) also emphasizes that this time of year is the least suitable for forest surveys.
Environmentalists recorded a similar attempt last fall. They say that public outcry helped stop the survey.
According to official information from the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine," areas in the Pashkivets (Zhdeniiv) forestry will be surveyed. The type of activity is listed as "Other logging and work not related to forestry."
What is wrong with winter surveys?
The best time to survey forest areas is in spring or summer. That is when the commission can fully assess the local flora and see if there are any red-listed plants. In winter, under thick snow cover, this is impossible.
In addition, activists draw attention to the volume of work:
"It is physically impossible to properly visit even 50 plots in 2 days, let alone conduct any meaningful surveys."
Can the situation be influenced?
UNCG has stated that it wishes to be present during the survey. It has offered to include its representative in the commission. However, at the time of publication, no response to this proposal had been received.
Environmentalists have also appealed to local national parks. Their participation in surveys is mandatory by law, but it could legitimize anti-environmental actions.
"We urge you not to participate in this scheme and not to sign documents for the destruction of the Runa meadow," UNCG wrote.
However, later, according to eco-activists, it became known that representatives of the Uzhansky National Nature Park would likely take part in the survey commission.
"Uzhansky National Park receives significant support from European taxpayers through various international projects. And European values are precisely transparency, openness, and adherence to procedures. So conducting surveys in April is fine. But in January, with this much snow, it’s purely an imitation of actual work," wrote the head of the analytical department of UNCG, Petro Tiestov.
EcoPolitic previously reported that it was in the Zhdeniiv community where employees of the Svaliava forestry unit of the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" were logging forest for the construction of an illegal road.
Eco-activists initiated the creation of the “Polonyna Hostra” reserve to protect the mountain from wind power development. However, members of the Zhdeniiv village council voted against it.
More details about the situation with the felling of primeval forests and the construction of wind farms by “Wind Farms of Ukraine” can be found at this link.
