Half a million cubic meters of wood cut illegally in Moldova

A recent study on illegal wood cutting in Moldova reveals that about 500,000 cubic meters of wood were possibly cut without the data being included in the official documents of the authorities, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to a communiqué from the Information Center of the ENPI (European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument), the study was carried out by the Forest Research and Management Institute of Moldova in cooperation with the Forest Law Enforcement and Governance Program ENPI FLEG that is financed by the EU. The research shows that the illegal cutting of wood in Moldova is in essence a domestic consumption related matter that intensified owing to the insufficient incomes of the families, especially in rural areas. But the source of consumption is yet to be checked. The ENPI FLEG Program supports governments, civil society, and the private sector in participating countries in the development of sound and sustainable forest management practices, including reducing the incidence of illegal forestry activities.