The forestry sector in Ukraine has long been one of the most corrupt industries, and this challenge has repeatedly attracted the attention of both government agencies and civil society organizations. Sanitary felling in the Carpathian Mountains, which is used as a legal tool for illegal logging, is particularly criticized. This process is often disguised as officially approved measures aimed at improving forest health, but in fact aims to generate quick profits at the expense of natural resources.
Recently, a large-scale study was presented as part of the cooperation between the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC), WWF-Ukraine and other organizations aimed at identifying corruption schemes in the forestry sector. Special attention is paid to the western regions of Ukraine, where the problem of corruption in the forestry sector is extremely acute.
Mykhailo Bohomaz, Forests Project Manager at WWF-Ukraine, presented a detailed overview of corruption risks. He described 12 separate risks, but emphasized that this list is not exhaustive. Risks include manipulation of documents, informal agreements with decision makers, and the creation of artificial obstacles to legal access to legitimate timber volumes.
Considerable attention is also paid to administrative organizations responsible for issuing logging permits and monitoring compliance with them. The unrealistically high rates of corruption observed in the forestry sector are an important indicator of the need for urgent intervention and strengthening of control.
One of the main tasks that organizations draw attention to is the creation of a transparent management system in the forestry sector. This includes the development and implementation of new regulations that would provide open access to information on all stages and processes in the sector, from issuing permits to monitoring their implementation.
Other important measures may include stimulating the involvement of the public and local communities in monitoring the transparency of forest management. The development of new platforms for public monitoring where citizens can leave feedback, report violations or provide information about those involved in corrupt practices is another step towards reducing these risks.
Joint work of non-governmental organizations and government agencies to identify and reduce corruption risks is also a prerequisite for effective fight against this phenomenon. This will gradually reduce the corruption that is so entrenched in the forestry sector of Ukraine and create a fairer and more transparent management system.
Solving the problem of corruption in the forestry sector will require a comprehensive approach and active support from both the state and the public. Only by joining forces can we achieve a real impact on reducing corruption risks and preserving Ukraine's forests for future generations.
