The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted Resolution No. 802, which introduces a two-year pilot project to regulate in law the removal of trees and shrubs outside populated areas. This concerns green plantings that do not belong to the forest fund and are located outside towns and villages.
Under the new Procedure, the removal of such plantings is carried out on the basis of a permit. It is issued free of charge by the executive bodies of local councils or military administrations. A special commission is set up to consider applications for removal, and it must include representatives of the environmental inspectorate, the State Forest Resources Agency and land users.
The document sets out cases in which the replacement value of green plantings is not payable. In particular, this applies to the felling of dangerous trees, the carrying out of repair works or the elimination of emergencies. On private land plots, owners may independently decide on the removal of trees without obtaining a permit and without paying the replacement value.
In the event of emergencies or accidents, dangerous trees may be removed immediately, and the necessary documents are drawn up after the works are completed by means of an inspection report.
The Procedure does not apply to forest fund lands, nature reserve sites, the border strip, areas of active hostilities, or to plant species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.
Timber obtained as a result of the removal of plantings on municipal or state-owned land will be directed to the needs of territorial communities, including to support preferential categories of citizens.