18 Apr 2025
,Finland
The Prosecutor's Office of Chernivtsi region has served a notice of suspicion to a forester from Beregomet Forestry of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” of negligence, which, according to the investigation, led to serious consequences. The incident, which caused significant damage to the natural resources of the region, raised the issue of the effectiveness of management and protection of national forest lands.
According to the investigation, the forester failed to fulfill his official duties directly related to the protection and safety of forest lands. His inaction created the conditions under which illegal logging became possible on a large area of the territory under his supervision. Such violations are a reflection of a global problem that is becoming increasingly relevant in today's environment - irresponsible attitude to natural resources and control over their use.
Careless attitude to the performance of official duties can lead to a significant reduction in forest areas, which negatively affects the ecosystem of the region. It also increases the risks of soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and, ultimately, can cause climate change at the local level. Every employee responsible for certain natural resources should be aware of the seriousness of their responsibilities.
Against the backdrop of the revealed violation, considerable attention has been paid to the issues of control and supervision over the activities of forestry workers. Strengthening the supervisory system could significantly reduce the risk of similar offenses in the future and ensure more efficient use of natural resources.
As a result of this official negligence, the prosecutor's office launched an investigation under Part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This article provides for liability for official negligence that led to grave consequences, which once again emphasizes the seriousness of the situation.
The investigation is expected to help identify not only personal, but also systemic violations in the field of forest protection, which in turn is aimed at improving the legislative framework and control methods in this area.
It seems that the current situation with illegal logging is not an isolated case, but an integral element of a larger system of shortcomings in the management of natural resources,»,— the environmental expert notes.
This incident has emphasized the need for more active involvement of the public and the expert community in the forestry reform process. The successful implementation of such measures will require not only the development of new control mechanisms, but also the active participation of all stakeholders.
