This year, 300 cases of illegal logging have been recorded in Transcarpathia

This was announced during the briefing by the Acting Head of the Regional Department of Forestry and Hunting Economy Valeriy Murga.

         Nowadays, 1.1-1.2 million cubic meters of wood is being harvested in Transcarpathia, while the annual growth in the region is 3 million. Thus, the companies of the regional forestry and hunting economy cut down a third of the forest growth. For comparison, Valeriy Murga provided specific figures: neighboring Hungary, for example, uses 75 percent of the growth, Austria – 77, Italy – 81 percent, Switzerland – 84.  

         Currently, all the timber harvested in Transcarpathia is sold through auctions, with the exception of that which is intended for social sphere. The proceeds from the sales of timber for 9 months of the year are UAH 454 million. This is 40% more than that for the same period last year. UAH 173 million of taxes has been paid, which is twice more than that in the last year. Salaries of Transcarpathian foresters have also increased by one thousand hryvnia and now average more than 4 thousand.  

         According to Valeriy Murga, illegal logging is one of the problems of the timber industry of the region. This year, the Regional Department of Forestry and Hunting Economy has recorded 300 cases of illegal logging of a total of more than 2.5 thousand cubic meters of timber, which caused losses amounting to more than 8 million hryvnia. "133 cases of illegal logging with damages of 7 million hryvnia have been transferred for investigation and consideration by the police. 27 criminal cases over illegal felling have been initiated. 97 employees have been disciplined for improper performance of duties on forest protection, 14 people were dismissed from their posts – V. Murga informed. – They not just failed to prevent but even facilitated in illegal logging."