The collected nature protection data of the forestry in Petrich uncovers a scheme of even larger proportions for abuse in state forests, on which detailed information with evidence was sent to the corresponding institutions in the beginning of the month. In an inspection in the Southwestern state enterprise, a number of officials at the organization were found out to be connected with private timber production companies of the region of Petrich. The inspection confirmed also the data on large-scale illegal logging in Belasitsa Park, the participation of foresters in illegal schemes for covering the irregularities and even the transporting of illegally produced timber material and the related private firms.
The investigation shows that when there is political protection, even high tech security measures, such as special plates for marking the transported timber, the installing of GPS-systems on trucks for timber transport, as well as the installing of video surveillance cameras in timber processing facilities, do not help against illegal logging in state forests,.
The case in Petrich tarnishes once again the good name of Bulgarian foresters with the taking over of one whole forestry enterprise by dishonest officials with private business interests, and the State doing nothing. Despite of this however, one week now after the inspection in Petrich, the officials in question are still keeping their high State posts and represent Bulgarian foresters.
It is obvious that urgent measures are needed for reform in the forest system, which will guarantee discontinuing of the political pressure upon forest enterprises, restoring the trust in Bulgarian foresters and increasing of public control for protection of forests. We hope 2017 will be a year with real steps towards depoliticization in the sector and we are open for discussing how to achieve that goal.
You can find analysis and evidence on the whole corruption scheme at the forest enterprise in Petrich here.
We wish you 2017 to bring depoliticization of the forest sector
