Problematic Aspects of Forest Management on Defense Lands

Abstract

The article considers the historical aspects and the current state of forest management on lands provided for defense purposes. The problems of the organization of forest management by the subjects of forestry activity, the governing body of which is the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, are studied. The analysis conducted by the author of the article allowed him to conclude that since 1991 the main purpose of the creation and operation in the field of defense of forestry units has been constantly changing and distorted. At the time of its establishment in 1949, military forestries provided for the organization of exemplary forestry and reproduction of forests on defense lands around military airfields, training grounds, military arsenals, etc. Instead, at present, the main purpose of forestry entities, the governing body of which is the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, has been reduced to making a profit. In addition, the abuse of officials at various levels and the inaction of the Defense Ministry, as a property management body, led to the unjustified alienation of land and means of production, which forestry units were endowed with during the creation and operation. The groundlessness of the alienation of the property of forestry units of the Defense Ministry, according to the author, is due to the special status of the property of military forestries. The analysis of the national legislation showed that with the independence of Ukraine the property of the institutions and organizations that were part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine acquired the status of military property. Therefore, the alienation of such property is impossible without the adoption of appropriate decisions by the Government of Ukraine. Also, according to the author, in today's realities forest management on defense lands should be organized by non-profit forestry units from the sphere of management of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine