Illegal logging of Christmas trees: fines up to 25,000 hryvnias and criminal liability.

According to ТСН: Soon the country will plunge into the pre-New Year mood, and Christmas trees will fill almost every home. However, with this festive period, the same problem arises every year: some people think that cutting down a tree in the forest is easy and profitable.

It should be remembered that for illegal logging of trees both administrative and criminal liability is provided for. The choice of the type of liability depends on the scale of the violation and the damage caused.

Legal consequences of illegal logging

In Ukraine, there are several legal acts that regulate the responsibility of individuals engaged in illegal logging of trees.

For cutting down one Christmas tree, administrative liability is imposed. This type of administrative offense is regulated by Article 65 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses.

According to this article, for illegal logging and damage to trees, their illegal storage or transportation in forest nurseries or on natural plantations, the guilty must pay a fine of 510-1,020 UAH, which amounts to 30 to 60 non-taxable minimums.

If illegal logging has caused significant damage, the fine starts from 17,000 UAH and can reach 25,500 UAH. Probation supervision, restriction of liberty, or even a real term of up to three years is also possible.

Repetition of the offense or committing acts by a group entails criminal liability in the form of 3-5 years of imprisonment. If the violation occurred in a reserve or in protected areas, the fines can reach 34,000 UAH. Serious consequences of logging can lead to punishment of 5-7 years of imprisonment.

It was previously reported that Christmas tree fairs opened in Ukraine. How much a New Year tree costs — read in the news.

During this pre-holiday period, it is important to remember about ecological consciousness and the legal consequences of neglecting the laws. Protecting the forests and their flora is an extremely relevant issue, as the health of the environment affects the quality of our lives. Instead of looking for easy ways, it is better to choose responsible solutions, supporting the legal sale of New Year trees and preserving nature.