Posted on January, 30 2017

Kyiv – At its first session in 2017, the Ukrainian government took an important step towards the protection and conservation of old-growth forests in the Carpathians. Ministers voted for the first version of a draft law which gives virgin forests better protection by law and conservation status. WWF and other NGOs have already discussed with the government what to include in the new regulations, how to improve the current policies and set a clear strategy to preserve the unique forest ecosystems of the Carpathian region.
 
For the past several months the draft law has been developed by a working group with the participation of WWF. It proposes amendments to several regulatory acts regarding protection of virgin forests within the Framework Convention on the Protection and the Sustainable Development of the Carpathians.
 
“Our experts have done an excellent job in developing a methodology through desktop studies of potential areas. Also, they have led field verification visits to the most distant forest ranges. Our work was supported by all forestry enterprises and protected areas managers. Yet, the government is the one to take the first step to preserve these unique forest ecosystems. The draft law still needs some amendments. Then it should be voted by the parliament,” said Roman Volosyanchuk of WWF-Ukraine.
 
As of 1 January 2017, more than 66,000 ha of old-growth forests, including 48,000 ha of virgin forests, have been identified in the Ukrainian Carpathians by environmental organizations. In 2016, WWF identified areas of particularly valuable virgin forests in the Ukrainian Carpathians. More than 300,000 ha are under screening, with a special focus on approximately 15,000 ha of potential old-growth forests. Geo mapping of all these forests is available online at: http://gis-wwf.com.ua/.
 
Virgin and old-growth forests are natural forests which have not been directly impacted by humans. They are models of the natural development of the forest ecosystem – home to rare animals and plants. That is why they are particularly important and need better protection for future generations. Virgin forests cannot be restored under current conditions and the destruction of the last pristine areas will result in the ultimate loss of this unique natural heritage. Some virgin beech forests in Ukraine fall into protected areas and are nominated for UNESCO World Heritage. Other areas, situated within commercial forests, have no conservation status, which makes them vulnerable to human interference and may be destroyed by construction activities.
 
WWF-Ukraine urges all forest management bodies in the country together with the environmental protection authorities to set a moratorium and temporarily exclude from the logging plans all areas of identified virgin forests and old-growth forests before their conservation status is finally approved. Delays could lead to the loss of more of the most valuable ecosystems in Europe.