The forest is not a place for a landfill...

A major problem for forestry workers remains the cluttering of forests with household waste. Apparently, for some citizens, it is incomprehensible that by polluting forests, they cause enormous damage to the environment, reducing the opportunity for future generations to live in a healthy ecological environment.

Thus, a check conducted by the Beshenkovichi District Prosecutor's Office together with specialists from the Beshenkovichi Inspectorate of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection examined forest fund lands located near the settlement of Beshenkovichi for their proper maintenance and compliance with environmental requirements.

The requirements of Article 23 of the Forest Code of the Republic of Belarus oblige legal entities engaged in forestry to care for forests, ensure the targeted use of forest fund lands, carry out work on sanitary improvement and proper maintenance of forest fund areas, and prevent forest pollution with waste.

It was established that the state forestry institution "Beshenkovichi Leskhoz" does not take sufficient measures to protect forest fund lands from waste pollution.

In particular, during the inspection of a forest area located in the immediate vicinity of the 219 km mark of the M3 Minsk – Vitebsk highway, it was found that an unauthorized landfill was organized in a pit about 3 meters deep: household waste, plastic bottles and containers, worn-out car tires, and other waste were allowed to be dumped. During the inspection of a forest area located on the bank of the Krivinka River, on the opposite side of the "Orlyonok" children's health camp, where district tourist rallies are held, it was found that unidentified persons had allowed similar unauthorized dumping of household waste and plastic containers.

Undoubtedly, these violations contribute to the pollution and damage of forest fund lands, disrupt their sanitary-hygienic and recreational functions, reduce the aesthetic perception of the forest, and create a threat of pollution to the forest and forest fund lands.

In accordance with Part 1 of Article 25, Part 4 of Article 30 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Waste Management", the placement of waste storage, disposal, and neutralization facilities is prohibited on forest fund lands, as waste storage and disposal are allowed only in authorized places.

Based on the results of the inspection, the district prosecutor issued an order to the director of the state forestry institution "Beshenkovichi Leskhoz" demanding urgent measures to eliminate violations of forest and environmental legislation and to identify persons responsible for forest pollution with waste for administrative liability under Part 1 of Article 15.30 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus.

30.06.2016

Assistant District Prosecutor
2nd Class Lawyer
V.V. Larkova