Foresters illegally cut down more than 3 hectares of forest worth UAH 6.5 million in Khmelnytskyi

In Khmelnytskyi region, the head of the South-Western Interregional Department of Forestry and Hunting, the deputy director of the "Yarmolynetsk Forestry" branch and the chief engineer of the "Letychiv Forestry" branch were suspected of illegally felling 3.3 hectares of forest worth more than UAH 6.5 million.

This was reported by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

The department said that two of the persons involved are not new to the forestry industry: one previously worked as a chief forester of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Department of Forestry and Hunting, and the other as a chief specialist of the department in the same department.

Officials carried out illegal felling on an area of ​​3.3 hectares on the territory of the Vovkovynetsk Forestry in the Letychiv district – they demolished almost 1,000 trees of various species. The conclusion of the examination confirmed that they caused irreparable damage to the environment.

In order to get the wood, the chief specialist issued an illegal logging ticket because he had not previously received the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the site. The violation ticket was approved by his immediate supervisor, and an employee of "Letychiv forest farm" prepared the necessary documents and carried out the felling.

The DBR reported that their employees are currently investigating whether officials have issued similar logging tickets before.

Officials are accused of exceeding official powers, which caused serious consequences (Part 3 of Article 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The chief engineer of "Letychiv forest farm" is also suspected of illegal felling of the forest, which caused serious consequences (Part 4 of Article 246 and Part 3 of Article 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

They face up to 10 years of imprisonment with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of up to 3 years.

The head of the South-Western Interregional Department of Forestry and Hunting, the court chose a preventive measure in the form of detention with the possibility of posting bail. He has now been removed from his post.

The other day, EcoPolitic reported that in Cherkasy eco-activists and the police caught on the illegal felling of national park workers. We also informed that President Volodymyr Zelenskyi will not sign Law No. 9665 , which aimed to strengthen responsibility for illegal timber traffic.