In Lviv, the heads of two parks within the nature reserve fund have been notified of suspicion in connection with the illegal felling of trees in the central part of the city. According to the investigation, a total of 112 trees were cut down without the necessary permits, causing environmental damage estimated at almost UAH 8 million.
Investigators established that one of the directors, who was responsible by virtue of his position for protecting the park, exceeded his authority. Without obtaining the mandatory felling quotas, in July 2024 he concluded a contract with a private entrepreneur for the cutting of trees in a protected area. As a result, 67 trees of various species were illegally felled in the park under his control, including poplars, maples, walnut trees, chestnuts, hornbeams, limes, ashes, elms and acacias. The environmental damage from these actions was assessed at over UAH 4.2 million.
According to the investigation, the other park director also organised felling without obtaining the required quotas, but without entering into agreements with external companies. He instructed park employees directly to carry out the felling. Between April 2024 and March this year, 45 trees were illegally cut down on the territory of another nature reserve fund site, including maples, chestnuts, acacias, elms and ashes. The material damage to the environment has been preliminarily estimated at almost UAH 3.7 million.
Under the procedural guidance of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, one of the officials has been notified of suspicion of exceeding official authority, which caused serious consequences to state interests protected by law (Part 3 of Article 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The second director is charged with the illegal felling of trees on the territory of a nature reserve fund site, which caused serious consequences (Part 4 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Main Department of the National Police in Lviv Region, with operational support provided by the Strategic Investigations Department in Lviv Region of the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police of Ukraine. Pursuant to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, persons are presumed innocent of committing a crime until their guilt is proven in the manner prescribed by law and established by a guilty verdict of a court.