The Vitebsk Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection informs on issues most frequently raised in appeals from citizens and legal entities

Витебский областной комитет природных ресурсов и охраны окружающей среды информирует по вопросам, наиболее часто поднимаемым в обращениях граждан и юридических лиц

The largest number of appeals received by the Vitebsk Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) and its territorial bodies is related to the improvement of the land, including the cutting of trees and other green spaces (in 2012 - 44 percent of the total number of appeals received, 1st quarter of 2013 - 49 percent).

In this regard, the Committee explains the following.
On November 27, 2011, the Law of the Republic of Belarus of May 17, 2011 No. 260 "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Laws of the Republic of Belarus on the Handling of Plant World Objects" (hereinafter referred to as the Law) came into force. Thus, Article 37 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the Plant World" establishes cases in which the removal and transplantation of plant world objects are permitted: when placing or reconstructing buildings and structures; when allocating land plots for agricultural purposes, personal subsidiary farming, collective gardening or vegetable gardening; if plant world objects impede the lawful operation of buildings and structures; if plant world objects are in an improper (emergency) condition; during the elimination of emergency situations, or other urgent work, as well as in other cases established by local executive and administrative bodies in agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus. It should be noted that the removal of plant world objects in settlements is allowed only if their transplantation is impossible.

In case of removal or transplantation of plant world objects, either compensatory planting or compensatory payment for the cost of the specified objects to the local budget must be carried out. Compensatory payments are subsequently used for landscaping, reproduction of plant world objects, and other measures aimed at the protection and preservation of plant world objects.

Cases where a permit for the removal or transplantation of plant world objects in populated areas is not required have been established: if the specified objects are located within the boundaries of land plots owned by private individuals, in perpetual inherited possession of citizens, in private ownership of non-state legal entities, or in the ownership of foreign states and international organizations; if the specified objects are located within the boundaries of land plots granted to citizens for collective gardening and dacha construction; if the specified objects are cultivated for the purpose of crop production; and for woody and shrub vegetation growing on forest fund lands.

Furthermore, a permit is not required for the removal of dry, damaged branches and boughs of green spaces in accordance with the rules and standards for landscaping.

In all other cases, in accordance with the requirements of the Law and the Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus dated November 3, 2011 No. 46 "On Certain Issues of Handling Plant World Objects," to obtain a permit for the removal or transplantation of plant world objects in populated areas, one should apply to the local executive and administrative body with a statement. Commissions for considering these issues have been established under local executive and administrative bodies, and authorized organizations (legal entities) have been designated to conduct surveys with subsequent conclusions on the condition of plant world objects.

As part of the procedure for issuing these permits in populated areas, the local executive and administrative body informs the public about the planned removal or transplantation of plant world objects.