Local Outcry: illegal Logging Sparks Outrage in StaroSambir

This is a story illustrating the consequences of impunity for illegal actions. It concerns massive illegal deforestation in the Starosambir region, documented by our experts since 2018. In 2021, we discovered one site, and by the following year, 2022, we tracked a vehicle loaded with such timber, as detailed in our publication. Last year, we documented seven locations. All materials were promptly handed over to law enforcement agencies, yet unfortunately, we have not seen the results of pre-trial investigations. This year has just begun, and we have already identified five more locations. At the last three sites (in the Levurda area), over 200 illegally felled trees were found, resulting in estimated damages of over 3.5 million hryvnias (near $100,000).

Not even the risk of exposure can stop the greed of forest thieves. Just imagine:

- On January 20, near the village of Strilbychi, Sambir district, Lviv region, experts of the NGO “ForestCom" found 64 stumps cut without proper markings indicating the official permittion of felling. These stumps were within the territory of the Starosambir District Communal Forestry Enterprise "GalSillis."

- On January 22, inspection of another area in the same vicinity revealed an additional 78 illegally cut tree stumps.

- On January 26, the sound of chainsaws and tractor engines continued in the forest. Due to pursuits from the perpetrators, our experts could not complete the examination of this woodland area.

- On February 1, during a joint operation with law enforcement agencies, approximately 70 more illegally felled tree stumps were found, with 30 of them having been cut just days prior, between January 26-27. Watch the attached video for a glimpse of the events.

There is no doubt as to the illegality of these activities - the absence of permissible marks on the stumps, the presence of leftover tree sections, and intact tree crowns left behind at the logging site confirm this. Even representatives of the forestry user acknowledge this. It is possible that a significant number of stumps are hidden beneath the extensive foliage. Forest thieves employ basic methods to conceal felled tree stumps: simply burying them under soil, snow, forest litter, or camouflaging them with leftover sections. In the areas we visited, this barbaric treatment of the forest has led to widespread destruction of young tree growth.

The overall distribution of felled trees is depicted in the figures:

Fig. 1: Location Displacement of Illegal Logging Sites: DLHP Starosambir Forestry Enterprise (OKS) Galzillis Communal Forestry Enterprise (presumably Stribytske Forestry Disctrict), compartment 28, sub-compartments 3; 9; 25; 26; and 28, and adjacent territory of the forests of the Filia of Sambyrske Forestry of the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine"

Fig. 2: Location Displacement of Illegal Logging Sites: DLHP Starosambir Forestry Enterprise (OKS) Galzillis Communal Forestry Enterprise (presumably Khyrivske Forestry Disctrict)

Fig. 3: Location Displacement of Illegal Logging Sites: DLHP Starosambir Forestry Enterprise (OKS) Galzillis Communal Forestry Enterprise (presumably Khyrivske Forestry Disctrict)

Based on forest traces and the condition of tree stumps, we observed that the recent logging in the last area have been ongoing for a considerable period: from summer 2023 to January 2024.

We have numerous questions for the forest rangers: How could such timber extraction go unnoticed? Why were law enforcement authorities not promptly informed? Overall, what measures were taken to protect the forest?! These questions may be rhetorical, but answers will need to be provided. Currently, local law enforcement officials are conducting investigations and trying to identify the culprits. Despite the complexity of the situation, we believe that the inevitability of punishment and justice must prevail.

Ultimately, we must honor the blood spilled by the Ukrainian nation for its country, its fields, and its forests.

For reference:

Up to date, ForestCom surveyed 2918 hectares of forest areas, with 2086 hectares in 2023.

Field experts conducted 107 forest visits, including 64 in 2023.

The area of surveyed forest sites reached 84 hectares, with 53 hectares in 2023.

The volume of record illegally logged timber is estimated at 884 cubic meters, with 802 cubic meters in 2023.

Calculated total financial losses amounted to 8,017,664 hryvnias (near $220,000), of which 7,299,824.96 hryvnias (near $200,000) were incurred in 2023.

For further insights on other aspects of the issues related to illegal deforestation, please refer to our previous materials.

Out of 11,877 criminal proceedings on forest violations, only 1,203 were transfered to court in 3 years

The war сauses the opening of loopholes for illegal logging — Forestcom analysis 

Our position on amendments to the legislation regarding the concept of "illegal logging"

The undertaken activities are part of the "Combating Illegal Logging in Ukraine" project, generously supported by the International Programs of the U.S. Forest Service.