7.3 million lei damage from illegal logging in state forests in the first 9 months of 2024

The damage from illegal logging in state forests administered by the National Forest Administration- Romsilva totalized 7.3 millionlei in the first three quarters of 2024 dropping by 8% against the same period of last year, according to the information provided by the representatives of Romsilva."In the first three quarters of 2024, 10,459 field checks were carried out in state-owned forests, and the total volume of illegally felled timber amounted to 14,671 cubic metres (m3), generating damages of 7.3 million lei, down by 8% compared to the same period last year. Part of this volume, totalling 3,984 cubic metres, was attributed to forestry staff," the sources said.   In the forests administered by other owners on the basis of contracts, Romsilva had 20,952 checks during the period mentioned, identifying a volume of 8,807 cubic metres illegally felled timber, with a damage of 4.3 million lei dropping by 5.8%against the previous year. From this total, 2,105 cubic metres were charged to forestry staff."To date, 42 disciplinary sanctions have been applied, of which 6 have resulted in the termination or suspension of labour contracts. In addition, 191 penalties totalling 133,266 lei have been imposed," according to Romsilva.   As regards the control of the movement of timber, 60,935 actions were carried out during the period, 9,310 of which were in co-operation with the Romanian Police. These checks resulted in the confiscation of 10,836 cubic metres of timber and fines of over 2.6 million lei.   Romsilva also reports three cases of aggression against forestry staff involved in security activities. In total, by the end of September, 2,919 reports had been drawn up for forestry offences, 34 of which have already been settled.   In order to ensure legality in forest exploitation and prevent forest offences, the specialised staff of the Regie also carried out 126 checks at logging facilities and warehouses, 114 of which were carried out with the support of the Romanian Police. The actions led to the confiscation of 1,565 cubic metres of timber and fines of 452,000 lei.   Romsilva will continue to take firm action to prevent and combat forestry offences, in collaboration with the Police, Gendarmerie and other authorised institutions, ensuring the security and protection of the forest and forestry staff.   Romsilva administers 3.13 million hectares of state-owned forests, equivalent to 48% of the country's forests, and provides forestry services, under contract, for about one million hectares of forests owned by other owners. All forests in public state ownership have forest management certification to international standards.   (Photo:https://www.rosilva.ro/)