Ancient forests were cleared to build a road to the wind farm on the Runa mountain pasture. The Eighth Administrative Court of Appeal ruled that the issuance of the logging permit was unlawful.
This was reported by the NGO ‘Ecosphere’, citing the court’s decision.
The court ruled that the permit for the special use of forest resources No. 20250219-000092, dated 28 February 2025, was unlawful. The court also ordered that this document be revoked.
On the basis of this logging permit, which has now been officially declared unlawful, an ancient forest was cleared in quarter 3, section 1 of the “Shypot” forestry unit of the Uzhhorod Regional Forestry Administration, which is subordinate to the “Carpathian Forest Office” branch of the State Forestry Agency “Forests of Ukraine”.
“The court examined the case materials and established that the logging permit had been issued unlawfully, as the felled area of 0.5 hectares had the status of primeval forest, where any form of felling is prohibited,” the community emphasised.
At the same time, they added that during a meeting of the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention, which Ukraine is chairing this year, representatives of the State Forestry Service and the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” attempted to prove that the felled forest was not a primeval forest. However, the court’s ruling not only refutes their excuses but also proves the fact of improper state management of forests. After all, it was the forest user, namely ‘Forests of Ukraine’, that failed to make the necessary amendments to the forest management documentation.
Screenshot fragment of the court’s decision
Despite criticism from the public, experts, Members of Parliament, and even the European Parliament, the wind power plant on Runa will still be completed. At a meeting with environmental activists at the Ministry of Economy, it was acknowledged that there are no levers to stop the works.
By the way, activists and local residents have repeatedly documented that, despite promises from the authorities, installation works for wind turbines on Runa meadow are ongoing.
Previously, the illegality of constructing foundations separately from the entire structure was nonetheless recognized by DIAM.
According to the amended planning scheme, Zakarpattia region will receive seven more wind power plants. However, in response to activists’ requests, the authorities remain silent about the exact locations of future construction.
