President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has signed into law a bill toughening fines for devastation or damaging plants and air contamination by 18 times.
The president’s press service said that Zelensky signed the bill on amendments to some legal acts of Ukraine aimed at environmental protection (regarding the toughening of liability for actions that cause air contamination and devastate or damage plants), which was adopted by the parliament at an extraordinary session on April 13.
In particular, the fine for air contamination will be increased from Hr 1,700-3,400 to Hr 30,600-50,000; for devastation or causing damage to plants – from Hr 5,100-8,500 to Hr 91,800-153,000; for violation of fire safety rules in forests by citizens – from Hr 85-255 to Hr 1,530-3,400; for violation of fire safety rules in forests by public officials from Hr 255-850 to Hr 4,590-15,300; for unwarranted burning of plants by citizens – from Hr 170-340 to Hr 3,060-5,100; and for unwarranted burning of plants by public officials – from Hr 850-1,190 to Hr 15,300-17,000.
According to the explanatory note to the document, the unauthorized burning of leaves and dry grass poses threat to health of people as leaves while smoldering without access of oxygen produce chemicals which may cause various diseases, including cancer.
