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13 August 2020, 07:11
Strengthening forest protection and fire prevention on forest lands
Committee on Ukraine’s integration into the EU currently is considering
the draft law №3526 on strengthening forest protection and fire
prevention on forest and water fund lands. This document is another
attempt of MPs to strengthen the responsibility for burning dry grass,
stubble, lighting fires in the forests, which leads to large-scale
forest fires, pollute the air and threatens human lives.
The authors of the bill state that since last year, Ukraine ranks first in Europe in the number of forest fires and fires on agricultural lands, which cause irreparable damage to the environment, flora and fauna, kills listed in the Red Book of Ukraine species.
According to the SES, the number of fires has tripled compared to last year, and their area has increased 40 times in Ukrainian forests in the first half of 2020.
What is proposed in the draft law No. 3526?
- The draft law proposes significant increase of fines for destruction, damage, burning of protective forest belts, protective forest plantations along river banks and other protective forests. For citizens, the draft law suggests the introduction of a fine in the amount of 180 to 360 non-taxable minimum incomes, and for officials — from 900 to 1260 non-taxable minimum incomes. In case the arson, destruction and other harmful acts are committed in the nature reserve — the fines will be even higher: from 360 to 720 non-taxable minimum incomes for citizens and from 1260 to 1800 non-taxable minimum incomes for officials.
- It introduces amendments to the Land Code of Ukraine regarding the increase of the responsibility of landowners. In particular, they will be obliged to prevent the burning of dry vegetation or its remains.
- In the Land Code, the draft also proposes to increase fines for unauthorized assignment of forest use rights, as well as the conclusion of other agreements that directly or implicitly violate the right of state ownership of forests.
- It proposes to increase fines for littering forests with waste.
- It proposes to give the National Police the right to consider cases of administrative offenses related to violations of fire safety rules in forests, other natural ecosystems and in agricultural activities.
- It imposes on the land tenants the obligation to comply with fire safety requirements.
The authors of the bill are convinced that the proposed changes will help to overcome the harmful practice of burning dry grass and careless handling of fire. Careless handling of fire caused big fires in Ukraine this year.
In April, a large-scale forest fire engulfed the Chornobyl zone. It was caused by arson — locals burned grass and garbage. Rescuers fought the fire for ten days. It destroyed more than 100 hectares of forest.
Large-scale fires in the Luhansk region caused damage to the Severodonetsk forestry of more than UAH 1 billion, and the fire affected almost 8,000 hectares of forest. The fire in Luhansk region killed 5 people and 34 (including 15 children) were hospitalized.
The largest fires in 24 years in April were also in Zhytomyr region. About 4,000 hectares of forest were burning there. The fire destroyed and damaged 81 homes of local residents.
The authors of the bill state that since last year, Ukraine ranks first in Europe in the number of forest fires and fires on agricultural lands, which cause irreparable damage to the environment, flora and fauna, kills listed in the Red Book of Ukraine species.
According to the SES, the number of fires has tripled compared to last year, and their area has increased 40 times in Ukrainian forests in the first half of 2020.
What is proposed in the draft law No. 3526?
- The draft law proposes significant increase of fines for destruction, damage, burning of protective forest belts, protective forest plantations along river banks and other protective forests. For citizens, the draft law suggests the introduction of a fine in the amount of 180 to 360 non-taxable minimum incomes, and for officials — from 900 to 1260 non-taxable minimum incomes. In case the arson, destruction and other harmful acts are committed in the nature reserve — the fines will be even higher: from 360 to 720 non-taxable minimum incomes for citizens and from 1260 to 1800 non-taxable minimum incomes for officials.
- It introduces amendments to the Land Code of Ukraine regarding the increase of the responsibility of landowners. In particular, they will be obliged to prevent the burning of dry vegetation or its remains.
- In the Land Code, the draft also proposes to increase fines for unauthorized assignment of forest use rights, as well as the conclusion of other agreements that directly or implicitly violate the right of state ownership of forests.
- It proposes to increase fines for littering forests with waste.
- It proposes to give the National Police the right to consider cases of administrative offenses related to violations of fire safety rules in forests, other natural ecosystems and in agricultural activities.
- It imposes on the land tenants the obligation to comply with fire safety requirements.
The authors of the bill are convinced that the proposed changes will help to overcome the harmful practice of burning dry grass and careless handling of fire. Careless handling of fire caused big fires in Ukraine this year.
In April, a large-scale forest fire engulfed the Chornobyl zone. It was caused by arson — locals burned grass and garbage. Rescuers fought the fire for ten days. It destroyed more than 100 hectares of forest.
Large-scale fires in the Luhansk region caused damage to the Severodonetsk forestry of more than UAH 1 billion, and the fire affected almost 8,000 hectares of forest. The fire in Luhansk region killed 5 people and 34 (including 15 children) were hospitalized.
The largest fires in 24 years in April were also in Zhytomyr region. About 4,000 hectares of forest were burning there. The fire destroyed and damaged 81 homes of local residents.