After the Floods: No Illegal Logging has been Discovered in Karlovo region, Inspections are Ongoing

Initial checks show that there is no illegal logging in the Bulgarian region of Karlovo, which has suffered severely from flooding following torrential rains. This was stated on BNT by Eng. Stoyan Toshev, executive director of the Forestry Agency. He added that there are more inspections in the area, together with other institutions, and the final conclusions will be made after their completion.

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"The inspections I started at the very beginning showed that there is no illegal logging, but I cannot be definitive because there are other logging sites that will be inspected. Organizational gaps have been identified that will be corrected," he said.

At the moment, the inspections have not found cut roads that have turned into gutters, but the relief has played its natural role and has helped to divert water to the creeks of the Stryama River, added Eng. Toshev.

"In Karlovo region, in general, it is a calm area, without many signals of violations. Now the attention is focused there. The people who are present with us at the inspections are convinced that these areas are not compromised. The forest areas are well managed. Yes, there are organizational gaps, but in general, some good forest plantations are created that perform their function," he pointed out.

Engineer Toshev commented on satellite photos from the area, which show thinning of the forest in recent years.

"Actually, it is about a nearly 1,000 hectare increase in the forest area, but with young plantations that are not of such density. There have been measures carried out over time, but they have been restored with young...