50 forest protection workers in Transcarpathia have been punished this year, three were fired – Murha

Valeriy Murha, the head of the Transcarpathian Regional Forestry and Hunting Range Administration, told reporters how they fight against the illegal use of forest.

When asked how many foresters have been brought to justice, Valeriy Murha said: "50 officials have been penalized for illegal felling, three of whom were dismissed from their positions. A criminal case was opened against a forest master of the state enterprise "Khust forestry", who abused his official position.

116 cases of illegal felling with the losses amounting to UAH 4.6 million were handed over for investigation to law enforcement agencies and courts.

Did the installation of video surveillance cameras have a positive effect, how many cameras still need to be installed, and what is the cost of one device? Speaking of this, Valeriy Murha stressed: "The effectiveness of using CCTV cameras has long been appreciated in the forestry industry. There is already video surveillance at every checkpoint and near the barrier at the entrance to the forest fund. Now it’s impossible to carry stolen wood by the barrier. However, cameras are not the only means to fight with illegal logging.   Forest protection and cooperation with law enforcement agencies – everything has a positive effect. The public, the forest protection, and the formation of the team of public inspectors, have improved the work of foresters. Although there is not enough video surveillance. I think that it should be increased several times. As for the cost price, the purchase of one device costs about 3000-3500 hryvnia."