Petition Calls for Carpathian Protection
A petition from veteran and environmentalist Andrii Tupikov, demanding legislation for the sustainable development of the Carpathian Mountains, was published on the website of the President of Ukraine on March 20. Registered on its fifth attempt, the petition calls for a ban on clear-cutting and construction above 1,000 meters. The Carpathians' protection has been a recurring issue, notably in 2021 and again in 2025-2026. The Carpathian region is a vital ecological zone for Ukraine and Europe, hosting unique biodiversity and water resources.
Tupikov first submitted this petition in February, but it was rejected four times. Over a month, he appealed to the President's Office and the Human Rights Commissioner to draw attention to the problem. In 2021, the Verkhovna Rada failed to support the 'On the Emerald Network' bill. In 2025, parliament passed a law on the complex conditions for returning illegally alienated land. Government decisions in 2026 regarding construction on the Runina polonyna (high-altitude meadow) drew criticism from environmentalists.
Key Measures in the Petition
Tupikov's petition outlines several key proposed measures, including:
- Banning clear-cutting of forests;
- Prohibiting large-scale construction and infrastructure placement above 1,000 meters;
- Banning construction on other territories crucial for biodiversity and water resource conservation;
- Expanding the network of protected areas in the Carpathians;
- Creating new nature reserves.
“At a time when Russian aggression against Ukraine is causing massive infrastructure destruction and significant harm to nature and cultural heritage, we cannot afford to scale these losses internally by destroying the Carpathians under the guise of narrow sectoral interests. Preserving the Carpathians is not only our national duty but also the fulfillment of Ukraine's international environmental commitments,” stated Andrii Tupikov.
Furthermore, the Cabinet of Ministers is preparing changes to the rules governing sanitary logging, underscoring the current relevance of protecting the Carpathians' natural resources. This move highlights the ongoing tension between economic activity and environmental conservation in the region.
Maintaining the Carpathians' ecological balance is critical not only for the region but for all of Ukraine. Tupikov's petition reflects growing public concern over environmental issues and the need for action to protect natural resources. In the context of global climate change and biodiversity loss, such initiatives could prove pivotal in shaping sustainable development and preserving the country's unique natural territories.