Illegal felling of trees: Director of the National Park in Volyn is served with a notice of suspicion

Illegal felling of trees: Director of the National Park in Volyn is served with a notice of suspicion shutterstock

Elizaveta Volkotrub

Damages to the state exceed UAH 16.5 million

In Volyn region, the director of the Kivertsi National Nature Park "Tsumanska Pushcha" was served a notice of suspicion of illegal felling of trees worth over UAH 16.5 million.

According to the investigation, in July 2023, the official, together with the owner of one of the Volyn woodworking enterprises, illegally cut down trees on the territory of the Tsumanska Pushcha reserve, which led to losses to the state budget, the press service of the Volyn Regional Prosecutor's Office reports on Facebook.

It is known that they involved hired workers who were unaware of the illegality of such actions.

Also, the official's accomplice, the owner of a woodworking company, was notified of suspicion of illegal felling of trees in the territory of the nature reserve fund, which entailed serious consequences (Part 4 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The issue of removing the park director from office and choosing a preventive measure is currently being decided.

As EcoPolitic previously reported, in Odesa region, employees of the State Bureau of Investigation brought to court the case of the head of one of the branches of the state enterprise "Forests of Ukraine", who organized the illegal felling of more than 1500 trees in the territory of the national natural park. The damage caused by the destruction of the trees amounted to UAH 145 million.

Related
“Dynasty” Cooperative Rivne-style: media claim illegal construction in a protected forest
“Dynasty” Cooperative Rivne-style: media claim illegal construction in a protected forest

Just as with the controversial construction project in Kozin, the start of the full-scale invasion did not prompt Rivne officials to give up their comfortable lifestyle

Over 1.5 million to the state, 1 million to local communities: "Forests of Ukraine" will have to compensate for the losses
Over 1.5 million to the state, 1 million to local communities: "Forests of Ukraine" will have to compensate for the losses

Fines running into the millions for violations are already becoming commonplace for this state-owned enterprise

New initiative by the Ministry of Economy threatens large-scale deforestation – UPG
New initiative by the Ministry of Economy threatens large-scale deforestation – UPG

Activists regularly bring new legislative initiatives to the attention of the authorities, as these initiatives will have a negative impact on the condition of Ukraine's forests

The case of the Marhalivsky Forest has gained international attention: RFI has published its investigation
The case of the Marhalivsky Forest has gained international attention: RFI has published its investigation

People around the world will now read about how the Ukrainian authorities, with the stubbornness of a rhinoceros, continue to push their agenda despite fierce public opposition