The District Inspectorate of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection urges district residents not to allow the burning of dry vegetation!

➢ "Statistics show that the absolute majority of ecosystem fires are caused by humans, and only 5-10% are due to meteorological conditions," states Tatiana Grigoryeva, chief specialist of the inspectorate. "People who claim that burning last year's grass is necessary are mistaken themselves and mislead others. Every arson is a crime against the fragile world of nature."

The main argument of supporters of burning last year's vegetation is its enrichment with ash, as a result of which grass appears faster and grows better in burnt areas. Ecologists assure that the ash remaining after burning grass does not improve soil quality, as nitrogen compounds are lost (the main part of nitrogen bound in vegetation is released into the atmosphere, becoming inaccessible to the vast majority of plants). The mineral elements contained in the ash become soluble and easily washed away by surface and groundwater. Only a small part of them is absorbed by plants.

After a grass fire, only grasses that reproduce by rhizomes, such as couch grass, regrow. Honey-producing flowers, cultivated grasses that are readily consumed by domestic animals in hay, reproduce by seeds, and seeds are burned during grass fires. Wherever fires have passed, the former variety of herbs will be gone, and weeds will take over the freed territory!

➢ "When grass is set on fire, all beneficial soil microflora is destroyed, including that which helps plants resist diseases," explains the specialist. "Many invertebrates, insects, frogs, lizards, small mammals, and birds sitting on their nests perish in the fires. Furthermore, the combustion process is accompanied by the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Fertilizers and pesticides residues burn in the fire, forming volatile toxic organic and inorganic compounds. Burning grass along roads pollutes the air with heavy metals."

!Environmentalists warn: in accordance with Article 20 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the Plant World," it is prohibited to light fires and burn plant residues in public areas of settlements, except in specially equipped places designated by decisions of local executive and administrative bodies. On other territories, it is permitted with compliance with environmental protection requirements and fire safety rules. It is also prohibited to burn dry vegetation (dry plants) and their residues on the root.

And according to fire safety rules, on household plots, land plots provided for collective gardening or dacha construction, burning dry vegetation on the root is not allowed. When lighting fires on household plots, continuous monitoring of the burning and smoldering process must be ensured.

The Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus provides for administrative responsibility:

➢ Article 16.40 – for illegal burning of dry vegetation, standing crops, as well as stubble and post-harvest residues in fields, or failure to take measures to extinguish fires on land plots – in the form of a fine from 10 to 30 base amounts;

➢ Article 16.41 – for setting fires in prohibited places – in the form of a fine of up to 12 base amounts.

"Zarya"