In Ukraine, there are preserved primeval forests, quasi-primeval forests, and natural forests – unique natural territories that have not undergone significant human intervention. They are part of the national natural heritage and must be protected by the state in accordance with the legislation.

At the same time, in a number of regions, these areas have long remained without defined boundaries, protective zones, and proper status. This created risks of their loss due to possible logging, development, or other forms of intervention.

Environmental prosecutors are taking measures to respond to such violations. At their request, the relevant authorities are obliged to define the boundaries of these territories, prepare the necessary documentation, and ensure the protection of valuable forest areas. In cases of inaction, prosecutors turn to the court in the interests of the state.

Thanks to the work of specialized environmental prosecutors: 

more than 20 lawsuits have been filed in courts to protect primeval and natural forests in the territories of Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zakarpattia, Lviv, Rivne, and Chernivtsi regions;

the total area of the sites for which measures have been taken is about 2,000 hectares.

As a result of the prosecutors' response at the pre-trial stage of dispute resolution, the following specific results have been achieved by region:

Chernivtsi region – the development of land management projects for five primeval natural monuments with a total area of over 270 hectares has begun;

Volyn region – the boundaries of a primeval natural monument with an area of 62.7 hectares have been established;

Sumy region – a forest area of 28 hectares has received the status of a primeval natural monument;

Zakarpattia region – after repeated appeals from prosecutors, a commission has been formed that has begun surveying areas of nearly 700 hectares that have long been unable to obtain proper status.

Environmental prosecutors continue their work to ensure the protection of these forests and to monitor compliance with legislation in the field of conservation of natural territories.