Mitigating Illegal Logging in Ukraine: ForestCom Monitoring Report (2020 - first half of 2023)

A core focus of the NGO “ForestCom” is actively working towards reducing illegal logging and illicit timber trade in Ukraine. To achieve this, experts from NGO “ForestCom” engage in satellite monitoring to track changes in forest cover and conduct field surveys to identify signs of the legality of cutting areas. They also provide expert assistance to law enforcement agencies and regulatory authorities, using wood science and forestry methods to prevent illegal timber trade in the domestic and international markets. Additionally, they monitor criminal proceedings and court cases. The legal expertise provided by our lawyer plays a critical role in these endeavours. 

The purpose of this publication is to present a comprehensive summary of the practical work undertaken by experts from the NGO “ForestCom”. It covers the period during which the organisation has been actively involved in verifying compliance with forestry rules and legislation by forest users through field visits to various forest regions of Ukraine. Furthermore, it highlights the expert support provided in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and regulatory authorities to prevent illegal timber trade within domestic and foreign markets.  

From 2020 to the second quarter of 2023, the NGO “ForestCom” experts conducted remote sensing monitoring and field monitoring surveys in the forests in order to detect illegal logging and other violations in forests. Totally experts conducted field visits in 168 sites or groups of sites in forests of 9 regions of Ukraine, covering a vast area of 3,728 ha. Specifically, they checked 326.9 ha of logging areas during these visits. Within this scope, 60 sites covering a total area of 1,102 ha were surveyed as a part of testing the Deep Green Ukraine System.  Based on the forest survey findings, the experts reported 22 incidents to the territorial bodies of the State Environmental Inspection of Ukraine, of them 9 were considered and inspections conducted. Thirty one incidents were submitted for investigation to law enforcement agencies, and  a total of 19 criminal cases were initiated.

Within the reporting period, experts from the NGO “ForestCom” carried out 53 expert studies within the framework of criminal proceedings regarding illegal logging, custom regulations, and other laws concerning the illegal wood trade. These studies took place in five regions of Ukraine. 

Full text of the report at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13B4yG9VGviYRSx0v0Ep3dSNcKOYXD9am/view?usp=sharing

The report was prepared as part of the project "Combating Illegal Logging in Ukraine" of the U.S. Forest Service International Programs.