Tree-Cutting Moratorium in Kyiv's Teremky: Machinery Reported Again

Tensions persist over Teremky tree removal

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Despite a two-week moratorium on tree felling announced by city authorities, machinery has reportedly turned up again in the forest belt of Kyiv's Teremky district. Activist Natalia Chernyshova raised the alarm in a Facebook post, saying she doubts whether agreements with the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) are being honored.

"The deal with KCSA is not worth the paper it is written on! The administration broke its word about a moratorium on work in Teremky Park; operations started again today." - Natalia Chernyshova

The KCSA, however, insists that as of 18 August no tree removal work had resumed in Teremky. Officials say no decision was made to restart operations, noting that the pause was agreed at an 11 August meeting between municipal representatives and community members. They also explain that the machinery seen at the site is being used to transport and store previously insulated pipes as part of energy resilience efforts.

New heating pipeline raises environmental concerns

The controversy stems from a project to build a new heating line for the Teremky-1 and Teremky-2 residential areas. Work began in the Holosiivskyi district on 31 July under Kyiv's Resilience Plan, while tree cutting in the green belt had already started on 24 July. The affected land has been designated a recreation park since 2019, and some of the trees are more than a century old. The KCSA says no alternative technically feasible route exists, but adds that it is seeking ways to limit the loss of greenery.

Public protests around the felling continue, keeping the issue tense. The standoff highlights the wider challenge of upgrading essential urban infrastructure without sacrificing established green spaces. City officials, meanwhile, say the work is being carried out in line with legislation and with due regard for preserving green areas, while community concern over environmental decisions grows.