In Romania, the serene beauty of its virgin forests is under siege. According to data from the National Forest Inventory and confirmed by the Minister of Environment, a staggering 20 million cubic meters of wood are illegally cut every year. This alarming figure poses a significant threat to the delicate balance of these ancient woodlands, as well as to the livelihood of those who depend on them for survival.
Nestled in Romania’s mountainous regions are an estimated 500,000 hectares of virgin forests, comprising the largest such ecosystem in the European Union outside of Scandinavia. However, the unchecked scourge of illegal logging casts a shadow of uncertainty over the future of these invaluable natural treasures.
The implications of rampant illegal logging extend beyond environmental concerns; it is also a multi-million-euro crime. Shockingly, more than half of the income derived from cutting and processing wood, a total of 6 billion euros, is attributed to illegal sources, according to the Romanian Ministry of Environment.
Tragically, the fight against illegal logging has proven to be a perilous endeavor. Six forest rangers have lost their lives, and 650 others have been attacked and threatened by illegal loggers. The severity of the situation prompted thousands to march, urging the government to take decisive action.
The roots of this crisis can be traced back to the post-communist era, with the government incentivizing large-scale logging, fostering an environment where economic interests and ties to state authorities have fueled the proliferation of illegal logging activities. The scale of the problem is further amplified by the involvement of individuals at various levels of influence, including forest rangers and civil servants, who have been implicated in the illicit trade of timber.
The allure of profitability has made illegal logging an enticing venture, with individual loggers making multiple shipments each day, reaping substantial financial rewards. The lucrative nature of this illicit trade has drawn the attention of the European Parliament, triggering a call for law enforcement agencies to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Regrettably, the fight against illegal logging has not been devoid of violence. Three years ago, a group of individuals subjected journalists and environmental activists to a brutal attack while they were documenting illegal logging activities in a forest in Suceava county. This incident underscores the grave risks faced by those seeking to expose and combat the exploitation of Romania’s forests.
Market Capital Research 