On October 9, 2014, Advocacy Training and Resource Center (ATRC) in collaboration with the NGO network “AVONET”, within the regional project ENV.Net, organized a regional workshop on the theme “Forest management and measures dealing with the prevention of illegal logging.” Participants in the workshop were officials from the Municipality of Ferizaj, Viti, Kacanike, and Elez Han.

According to participants, deforestation continues. The increased cooperation with the police and courts has reduced cases of illegal logging. Only during 2014 are reported over 1,000 misdemeanor charges and charges related to illegal forest pests from these 4 municipalities. The problem is the lack of fines and sanctions imposition from the courts on the extent of damage caused.

Citizens’ cooperation with institutions of order; establishment of forest police; cleaning of damaged forests; afforestation of damaged forest parts; increased cooperation between the municipalities of the region, the development of a plan to supply citizens with firewood, heating alternative arrangements, etc. are some of the actions that were proposed by the participants of the workshops.