Forest cuttings – restrictions and plans for 2024

The Ministry of Climate and Environment has decided on the first restrictions on logging in 2024. Work has been halted in some of Poland’s most valuable forest areas, including. In the Bieszczady Mountains, the Borecka and Swietokrzyska Forests, and in the Tri-City Landscape Park. According to the Ministry, the main reasons why it is necessary to impose restrictions on the cutting of Poland’s most valuable forests are the protection of valuable primeval forests, the preservation of resort forests and those used by agglomerations of many thousands of people, and the scarcity of forest districts.

Forest cuttings in 2024. withheld

Forest protection is high on the new government’s agenda. This is due to both national obligations and EU environmental directives, as well as the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy. The Minister of Climate and Environment, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, has announced plans to introduce restrictions on tree felling in ten key areas:

• Bieszczady,
• Borecka Forest,
• Swietokrzyska Forest,
• Augustowska Forest,
• Knyszynska Forest,
• Carpathian Forest,
• Romincka Forest,
• Tri-City Landscape Park,
• Iwonicz-Zdrój and Wroclaw area.

Logging in many places will be halted, but this is just the beginning of the measures that will be taken in this area. Minister Hennig-Kloska stressed that the goal of the initiative is to protect areas covered with trees aged 100-200 years, forests that are a safeguard for water resources and mountainous areas.

Some of these zones, especially those with exceptional historical and cultural values, such as the The Augustow Forest, are key to beekeeping, while also representing intangible cultural heritage.

From words we move to actions. The first decision to limit and halt logging of Poland’s most valuable forest areas has been issued. It’s time to move the saws out of some of Poland’s forests, especially those that cut the most valuable natural objects. We are working on a systemic solution that will include more areas and will be consulted with representatives of the State Forests, local governments and local communities – Minister Hennig-Kloska said at the conference.

As the ministry emphasizes, the first restrictions on logging are a symbolic action and a harbinger of deeper forest policy reform.

The Ministry of the Environment has announced a reduction in logging by up to 30 percent.

Planned logging restrictions for 2024. result from a variety of factors, including. From natural needs, legal, economic and social aspects. Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Nikolai Dorozhala, explained that the restrictions will not exceed 20-30 percent. planned logging. Changes to the work within the framework of contracts with contractors are also possible.

We are changing the thinking about forests. We cannot look at them only through the prism of economics. We want to restore the social and ecological function of forests, which has been with them since the dawn of time. Transparency of operation must return to the forests – Minister Hennig-Kloska said.

Particularly important is the fact that much of the restricted forest is a buffer around large metropolitan areas such as Gdansk, Wroclaw and Bialystok. This is important in adapting to climate change, improving water retention and protecting against urban flooding. The deputy minister also stressed that the areas where restrictions will be introduced include national parks, Natura 2000 areas and protected landscape areas, including promotional forest complexes.

Map of forest cuttings

As we face dynamic climate change, we are beginning to realize the value of forests and the need to protect them. Local communities are increasingly coming to the defense of trees and biodiversity. Bottom-up initiatives are on the rise. In order to make us aware of the scale of planned logging, the Forests and Citizens Foundation presents a map on its website Before they cut down your forest . It depicts the sites:

• protected forest areas with old-growth forests;
• planned tree plantings;
• planned or unplanned logging;
• ambiguities in the data that make it impossible to accurately determine the number, area or type of trees to be cut down;
• ongoing clippings;
• depicts all forest subdivisions from the Forest Data Bank, where cutting is planned in the current Forest Management Plans;
• does not show planned thinning.

In our publications, we repeatedly emphasize how much retention capacity forest areas have. In order to preserve these valuable ecosystems, especially wetlands in forests, it is extremely important to protect them. Without formally sanctioned bans, these biodiversity spots will disappear, and with them valuable and protected plant and animal species.