Wood logging on the rise

Last year, 8.6m cubic meters of wood was harvested in Slovakia, a fifth more than in 2023 and the most in five years. The current government prioritizes jobs in rural areas over nature conservation. The growth is mainly due to removal of spruce trees attacked by bark beetles. The largest increase in logging was recorded in Čierny Balog, and in the Low Tatras and Malá Fatra national parks. In 2014–19, logging amounted to 9–10m annually, but demand fell during the pandemic, and the OĽaNO cabinets prioritized nature protection. Last year, state-owned Lesy SR increased logging by 1m to 4.5m.

(sme.sk)