Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Green activists, rangers face off over Poland’s ancient forest

-

Several hundred environmental activists and forest rangers on Tuesday held rival protests in southern Poland over large-scale logging in the ancient Bialowieza forest, a UNESCO world heritage site that includes some of Europe's last primeval woodland.

The demonstrations took place in the city of Krakow on the sidelines of the annual meeting of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, which is set to discuss the Bialowieza controversy on Wednesday.

Straddling Poland's eastern border with Belarus, Bialowieza boasts unique plant and animal life -- including the continent's largest mammal, the European bison -- as well as one of the largest surviving parts of the primeval forest that covered the European plain 10,000 years ago.

Toting signs with slogans such as "I love the forest" and "The forest should remain wild," the environmental activists from groups such as Greenpeace protested against the logging in Bialowieza.

The Polish government has said it authorised the logging, which began in May last year, to contain damage caused by a spruce bark beetle infestation and to fight the risk of forest fires.

Separated off by a police cordon, the forest rangers shouted words of support for Environment Minister Jan Szyszko and Konrad Tomaszewski, the director general of state forests.

The rangers believe the logging is meant to protect Bialowieza, while ecologists allege the infestation explanation is being used as a cover for commercial cutting of protected old-growth forests.

Scientists and the European Union have also protested the logging. In late April, the European Commission gave Polish authorities a "final warning" to address its concerns over the forest or face being summoned by the EU's top court.

The UNESCO committee also expressed its doubts, writing in a June conservation report that the "felling of trees in these areas raises serious concerns."

Several hundred environmental activists and forest rangers on Tuesday held rival protests in southern Poland over large-scale logging in the ancient Bialowieza forest, a UNESCO world heritage site that includes some of Europe’s last primeval woodland.

The demonstrations took place in the city of Krakow on the sidelines of the annual meeting of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, which is set to discuss the Bialowieza controversy on Wednesday.

Straddling Poland’s eastern border with Belarus, Bialowieza boasts unique plant and animal life — including the continent’s largest mammal, the European bison — as well as one of the largest surviving parts of the primeval forest that covered the European plain 10,000 years ago.

Toting signs with slogans such as “I love the forest” and “The forest should remain wild,” the environmental activists from groups such as Greenpeace protested against the logging in Bialowieza.

The Polish government has said it authorised the logging, which began in May last year, to contain damage caused by a spruce bark beetle infestation and to fight the risk of forest fires.

Separated off by a police cordon, the forest rangers shouted words of support for Environment Minister Jan Szyszko and Konrad Tomaszewski, the director general of state forests.

The rangers believe the logging is meant to protect Bialowieza, while ecologists allege the infestation explanation is being used as a cover for commercial cutting of protected old-growth forests.

Scientists and the European Union have also protested the logging. In late April, the European Commission gave Polish authorities a “final warning” to address its concerns over the forest or face being summoned by the EU’s top court.

The UNESCO committee also expressed its doubts, writing in a June conservation report that the “felling of trees in these areas raises serious concerns.”

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Social Media

Wanna buy some ignorance? You’re in luck.

Business

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the carrier was reviewing recent incidents and would redouble safety initiatives as needed - Copyright AFP Logan CyrusUnited...

World

US President Joe Biden speaks during a reception honoring Women's History Month at the White House - Copyright AFP Brendan SMIALOWSKIDanny KEMPUS President Joe...

Business

A Milei marks 100 days in office, thousands protest his austerity measures - Copyright AFP Luis ROBAYOLeila MACORArgentina’s President Javier Milei has slashed public...