Mykolaiv Bans Tree Rejuvenation Pruning for Three Years to Protect Green Spaces

Mykolaiv has banned rejuvenation pruning of trees in the community for three years. This step is aimed at preserving green spaces and adapting the city to climate change.

The decision was made based on the recommendations of the Mykolaiv City Council's Standing Committee on Human Rights, Children, Family, Legality, and Transparency and a letter from the State Environmental Inspectorate of the Southwest District.

The members of the Mykolaiv City Council discussed a draft decision on the maintenance of green spaces. The municipal enterprise Mykolaiv Parks was recommended to refrain from rejuvenating trees in the city, and if such a need arises, to do so in consultation with the State Environmental Inspectorate, which has given its consent.

What is changing?

• Rejuvenation pruning of trees is prohibited for the next three years.
• Exceptions are possible only if there is a tree inspection report signed by a special commission and approved by the State Environmental Inspectorate.
• The relevant deputy commissions and the deputy mayor are responsible for monitoring compliance with the decision.

The reason for the ban is the scandalous pruning of plane trees recently carried out by the Mykolaiv Parks utility company, which caused a public outcry. This decision is aimed at reducing the environmental impact on the city and increasing the resilience of green areas to climate challenges.

In January, a scandal erupted in Mykolaiv over the excessive pruning of plane trees. The trees, which only needed sanitary removal of dry branches, were severely damaged by illegal work.

At the meeting of the environmental commission, they considered the issue of compliance with environmental legislation by the Mykolaiv Parks utility company and the actions of its head, including threats to representatives of regulatory authorities and obstruction of deputy activities.

Subsequently, the Mykolaiv Regional Council appealed to the local authorities regarding the deterioration of the environmental situation in the city and the behavior of the director of Mykolaiv Parks. The commission recommended that the mayor conduct psycho-correctional work with the head of the enterprise.

It also suggested organizing a comprehensive inspection of the utility's activities to find out whether the work performed complies with current legislation. In addition, the commission called for contacting the Bureau of Economic Security to check the company's financial activities.

Анна Бальчінос