Arrest, a fine of several thousand, and even confiscation of the vehicle for driving vehicles outside the forest road. The Ministry of Climate and Environment has approached the Ministry of Justice with a ready proposal to tighten the regulations – reports “Rzeczpospolita”.
“A person moving in the forest in a prohibited place, who causes significant noise or destroys or damages plants or scares animals, would be subject to the penalty of arrest, restriction of freedom or a fine of not less than PLN 3,000. In the event of a conviction by the court, it would be possible to impose a fine of up to PLN 1,500. In the event of the perpetrator being punished again for an intentional offence, even confiscation of the vehicle would be possible,” reports “Rzeczpospolita” in its Wednesday edition.
What is the fine for entering the forest?
Currently, according to Article 161 of the Petty Offences Code, a fine is imposed for entering a prohibited area in the forest with a motor vehicle, horse-drawn vehicle or moped. According to Article 24 of the Petty Offences Code, the fine is imposed in the amount of PLN 20 to PLN 5,000.
– Although the changes to the regulations planned by the ministry should undoubtedly be assessed positively, their tightening alone is not the key to success. The most important factor is the inevitability of punishment – pointed out attorney Dawid Mielcarski, quoted by the daily.
Forest violations – statistics
In 2020, the Directorate General of the State Forests registered 37,333 cases of violations of Article 161 of the Forest Code, in 2021 – 36,303, and in 2022 – 50,044.
The State Forests regularly inform about the imposition of fines on those ignoring the regulations on entering the forest. The latest announcement – about another 50 fines – was published on August 13 by the Regional Directorate of the State Forests in Krosno.
The headquarters of the State Forests in WarsawTVN24
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