Criminal cases for the privatization of protected lands in Kirovohrad region are opened

Criminal cases for the privatization of protected lands in Kirovohrad region are opened uk.wikipedia.org
Katerina Belousova

The perpetrators violated Article 252 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine "Deliberate destruction or damage of territories taken under state protection and objects of the nature reserve fund"

In Kirovohrad region, thanks to the appeal of eco-activists, the regional prosecutor's office opened criminal proceedings for the allocation of lands of the nature reserve fund of 4 reserves in the Golovaniv district to private ownership.

The investigation also confirmed cases of non-targeted use and self-grabbing of land in these reserves, reports the "Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group" on Facebook.

Eco-activists noted that such reserves as "Kamyanohirskyi", "Novogrihorivskyi", "Kosharo-Olexandrivskyi", and "Skalki" were destroyed.

Criminal proceedings have been opened against the violators under Article 252 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine "Deliberate destruction or damage of territories taken under state protection and objects of the nature reserve fund."

The press service of Kirovohrad Regional Prosecutor's Office also emphasized that prosecutors sent two lawsuits to the court regarding the return from private ownership of 3.4 hectares of land of the nature reserve fund worth more than UAH 13 million. In 2017, the local self-government body transferred land plots located on the territory of the protected tract to two local residents through free privatization.

Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that in Kirovohrad region eco-inspectors recorded 2 facts of illegal mining by subsoil user enterprises outside their mining concessions, which caused losses of more than UAH 18 million.

As EcoPolitic previously reported, the Economic Court of the Kyiv region returned 267 valuable forests of the reserve to the state of national significance "Unava Tract" and Bilotserkiv Forest Farm. LLC "Allground" wanted to build cottages on the site of the forest.

Related
The "greenest" and most vague environmental programs: how Kirovohrad Oblast spends its environmental tax revenue
The "greenest" and most vague environmental programs: how Kirovohrad Oblast spends its environmental tax revenue

This is the most vague list of measures, though it still makes clear how the environmental tax is being spent on sewer systems and landscaping in residential areas

Environmental crimes of the week: privatization of nature reserves, protection of primeval forests, pollution costing millions
Environmental crimes of the week: privatization of nature reserves, protection of primeval forests, pollution costing millions

Due to criminal conspiracies led by forestry officials, thousands of trees continue to be illegally cut down in Ukraine

Court seizes part of "Protasov Ravine" due to loopholes in Kyiv City Council Decision – activists
Court seizes part of "Protasov Ravine" due to loopholes in Kyiv City Council Decision – activists

The capital's authorities failed to ensure the timely return of the land to the community, which gave the owner leverage in defending their rights

Permission to shoot predators in national park: activists file lawsuit against Khmelnytskyi Regional State Administration
Permission to shoot predators in national park: activists file lawsuit against Khmelnytskyi Regional State Administration

This decision threatens the populations of wolves, foxes, and coyotes living in the protected area