WWF-Ukraine has issued a statement against the construction of a forest road planned within the Uzhhorod Forestry of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”. This road is planned to run through the territories of the forestries “Shipot” and “Lyutyanske”, in the direction of the Runa valley, where the construction of a wind farm is planned.
A tender for this project has been announced, and it covers routes through quarters 1-3 of the Shipot forestry and quarter 29 of the Liutianske forestry. WWF-Ukraine expresses concern about this construction, pointing to possible negative consequences for the natural environment.
According to Ukrainian law, virgin and quasi-virgin forests are a natural heritage that requires special protection. The construction of a road through these areas violates the legal norms established to preserve unique natural ecosystems. This not only threatens to destroy natural resources, but also upsets the ecological balance, which could have long-term consequences for the region.
In addition to domestic legislation, Ukraine has obligations under international environmental agreements. In particular, such actions may contradict the provisions of the Bern Convention, which aims to protect wild fauna, flora and natural habitats of Europe, as well as the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians, which emphasizes the need to preserve the integrity of the Carpathian ecosystems.
WWF-Ukraine calls on the responsible authorities to reconsider the plans for the road construction and consider alternative options for providing access to the Runa valley that would minimize the negative impact on the environment. The organization also draws attention to the importance of developing a comprehensive environmental assessment of the project to avoid risks to the natural heritage.
Thus, it is expected that the participation of the public and international environmental organizations can contribute to the preservation of the region's biodiversity and the consideration of environmental aspects in the decision-making process. It is important to ensure that any infrastructure projects in this natural area are aimed at long-term environmental sustainability and compliance with international standards.
