New measures taken forests' protection in Moldova: increased compensation for illegal logging

The government has approved an increase in the amount of compensation for illicit logging. Thus, illegal deforestation, abusive logging, man-made fires and other actions that negatively affect the forest fund will be more effectively prevented, and responsible environmental behavior will be encouraged.

For instance, the compensation for the illegal cutting of a tree varies between 1.9 and 44.6 conventional units, equivalent to 95 and 2,230 lei, depending on the trunk's diameter and the type of forest where it grows. Fines are also provided for damage to seedlings and cuttings in nurseries and forest plantations, meadows and pastures, unauthorized use of forest fund lands and other infringements.

At the same time, fees have been set for cases previously unforeseen by legislation, such as pollution with waste or man-made fires. Damages are clearly separated, based on the factors that caused them: physical, chemical, or biological (fire, mechanical injuries, etc.).

The resources collected will be directed towards reforestation activities, purchasing modern equipment, monitoring and supporting forestry research and developing educational programmes for ecological awareness among the population.

The amount of compensation for infringements of forestry legislation has not been updated in over two decades and in some cases, the value of the wood cut is 10-15 times higher than the amount of legal compensation. Thus, updating the rates will ensure a fair system, proportional to the severity of the damage.