Unlawful felling of oak trees in Chernihiv region "costs" UAH three million

Law enforcement agents have opened scores of criminal cases worth over UAH three million for illegal felling of wood that has become more active in Chernihiv region this year, governor of the Chernihiv Region Valery Kulich told Ukrinform.

"After the motion of the environmental inspection as to damage inflicted on the state by felling trees, criminal cases have been opened today with charges worth over UAH three million. We hope that these charges will reach courts and the suspects engaged in this crime will be punished," said the official.

He noted a surge in illegal logging is linked associated with high price for one cubic meter of oak which exceeds UAH 13,000.

"There exists a very big economic temptation, for which the evil individuals fall. We do our best, but we can’t pot a policeman at every oak tree," he said.

tl