A new report by Økokrim shows that valuable forests are being illegally cut down in Norway. The consequences can be serious and irreversible, both for endangered species and for climate change.
The forest protects against the effects of climate change, among others. preventing floods, erosion and landslides. In the face of anticipated more
extreme conditions weather patterns, illegal logging could have far more harmful consequences for society in the future than what we have seen so far.
– In many cases it is a serious crime
against environment. It concerns illegal cutting down of large areas and single trees. The case is often presented as not very complicated,
but overall the damage can be serious and irreversible, says the first prosecutor and head of the environmental crimes department in Økokrim, Hans Tore Høviskeland.
The public sector must take better care of forests
Many things are put aside
Violation of the Act on forestry may amount to a serious crime against the environment. There are few, but almost all, reports
the cases are discontinued, which indicates that the threat of a penalty under the Forest Act is unlikely to be realistic.
The report indicated that
regulations were perceived as complicated, unclear and difficult to access. The Forestry Act is discretionary and imposes few clear obligations. Now Økokrim wants to follow and support more
police districts. Høviskeland also wants clearer forestry law.
– When local districts
police officers have little experience investigating such cases, the law is discretionary and the threat of punishment under the Forestry Act is low compared to other environmental protection laws. This means it is difficult to prioritize cases as well as investigate and prosecute, says Høviskeland.