Poland starts logging primeval Bialowieza forest despite protests

Białowieża Forest is one of Europe's last standing primeval forests, and it looks like the new Polish government have started logging in this virgin forest. The pace of environmental destruction caused by humans is not slowing at all, and this in my opinion is criminal.

Poland starts logging primeval Bialowieza forest despite protests

www.theguardian.com...

Poland has started logging in the ancient Bialowieza forest, which includes some of Europe’s last primeval woodland, despite fierce protests from environmental groups battling to save the World Heritage site.

“The operation began today,” national forest director Konrad Tomaszewski said of the plan to harvest wood from non-protected areas of one of the last vestiges of the immense forest that once stretched across Europe.

He said the goal was “to stop forest degradation” – by combating what the environment ministry says is a spruce bark beetle infestation – and protect tourists and rangers from harm by cutting down trees that risk falling on trails.

Conservation groups have a different take.

But environmental campaigners warn that the tree chopping will destroy an ecosystem unspoiled for more than 10,000 years that is home to the continent’s largest mammal, the European bison, and to its tallest trees.

Campaigners have taken issue with the government rationale for the project, saying the beetle’s presence does not pose any threat to the forest’s ecosystem.

One wonders if this is a political in nature from Poland's new right-wing government

The Bialowieza project is the latest action by Poland’s new rightwing government to draw criticism at home and abroad, including an overhaul of the country’s top court and legislation strengthening state control over public broadcasters.

Another article goes into more depth about the potential political aspects of this decision.

www.theguardian.com...

But a recently-passed logging law to allow work to begin on the old-growth forest has divided families, and led to death threats against campaigners and allegations of an “environmental coup” by state interests linked to the timber trade. The logging in Białowieża is expected to raise about 700m złotys (£124m), and pave the way for extensive and more lucrative tree clearances.

Sources say that internal government discussions have already begun on extending the new timber regime to the national park, which covers 17% of the forest and has been untouched by humans since the ice age. masterclasses pleasure and pain: a music industry workshop $120, Saturday 18 June, Hobart. This one is for music lovers and industry folk attending Dark Mofo who want some business with their pleasure

Mirosław Stepaniuk says he was sacked as director of Białowieża’s national park shortly after Polish elections six months ago because of his support for turning the whole forest into a protected conservation area.

It sounds suspicious, and if nothing else, it is very sad to see one of Europe's last untouched forests subject to destruction at the hands of humans.

£124 million is such a small figure in the grand scheme of things. If this is going down they way it's portrayed then the people need to take to the trees. That tactic has worked here in Scotland and the rest of the UK for decades.

I could take over that Forrest and within a decade could probably make up the £124 million by introducing Hunting in all it's forms.

a reply to: cuckooold

UGH ... Stupid short sighted government's, they would be better off creating a sustainable tourist park and raising the funds that way....such a shame we really do not deserve this planet

a reply to: cuckooold

Al Gore and his big money buddies should just pay them not to chop it down. If a person is starving I am not going to judge what they do to feed their family unless it illegal.

originally posted by: Metallicus
a reply to: cuckooold

Al Gore and his big money buddies should just pay them not to chop it down. If a person is starving I am not going to judge what they do to feed their family unless it illegal.

Firstly, what on Earth does Al Gore have to do with this? We are talking about an environmental travesty.

Secondly, where are jobs or feeding one's family mentioned?

It seems to me we are witnessing an authoritarian government wanting to make their authority known. I thought you were a libertarian, against the government imposing on the people.

Took a look at Google Earth, the forest is on a big scale a small one stretching from Poland into Belarus.

On the polish side the forest is surrounded by farmland that already has cut deep into the forest, it looks relatively untouched on the Belarus side, but farmland is also taking a cut there.

Question is if they are thinning out tree's or are cutting down solely for monetary gain, thinning out can be healthy for forest bringing life to the bottom in form of sun light and new sprouts.

Either way, untouched old growth should be left alone, letting nature do what nature does, Europe has already been stripped of most of it's forest.

a reply to: Mianeye

The native Americans would start forest fires because old growth meant death while new growth is good for the forest.

a reply to: cuckooold

You just said it was an 'environmental travesty' and that is where Al Gore comes in...he is Mr. Environment. Let him pay to keep the forest intact. Otherwise Poland can do what it wants with its natural resources.

a reply to: cuckooold
That´s what happens when uneducated people become protest voters, but then vote the greater evil.
First they vote that government, just because of protest, and now they wish they hadn´t done it.
Did they think this all is a joke, just to show the "establishment" that it is unwanted? Did they really think that something will become better with a rightwinger government?
Rightwinger governments and parties are for the rich, for their own clans, for the economy, for oppression, for the military, but not for the people.

I mean, it´s Poland, didn´t they learn from the past???

A year ago I traveled to California and visited several of the amazing Redwood forests. I've never felt a more profound connection and respect for nature and life as when I was standing among those 250-300foot, thousand year old giants. Even those were logged heavily when the United States was young, which is very sad. But there are some spots which are untouched.

Sounds to me like dirty money and influence peddling are behind this. That corruption is responsible for almost all the shameful and regrettable govt decisions the world over. I'm no bleeding heart, tree-hugging hippie, but I can tell you this doesn't sit right with me. But Metallicus is correct- it is Poland's business. If the people are angry enough, they'll stop it.

ETA: A dose of sickening irony... The largest stand of uncut, untouched Virgin Redwood forest in the world exists in none other than BOHEMIAN GROVE, where by all accounts no one is allowed inside except for those same corrupt and sociopathic billionaires, politicians, and captains of industry who are ruining our world.