Zeybek submits a parliamentary question on the delay in cutting trees and firewood in Xanthi
SYRIZA Party Xanthi Deputy Hüseyin Zeybek asked the Ministry of Environment and Energy the reason of the delay for cutting trees and firewood in Xanthi region.
Asking whether the ministry would increase the allowances for wood distribution to those living in mountainous regions, the lawmaker asked questions to the ministry by stating the followings:
"Delayed Wood Cutting and Firewood Processes in Xanthi Region.
According to the forest law No. 1968 (Ν.Δ. 86/1968), it was foreseen to provide free wood to our citizens residing in mountainous regions to meet their individual needs.
According to this, in regions where there is partial icing for more than five months and at least one day per month according to the previous calendar year, for all beneficiary categories, 50% increase in wood quantity and 40% decrease in price is foreseen.
According to the latest circular issued by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, an appropriation of 4,500,000 € will be allocated to Forestry Policy Implementation Inspection services of some provinces, including the Thrace region, in order to meet the firewood needs of citizens living in the mountainous parts of the country.
The Xanthi region corresponds to an allowance of approximately 165,000 €, although this amount has increased compared to previous years, it in no way covers the doubled firewood prices compared to the previous year.
For this reason, Xanthi (Xanthi) and Yeniköy (Stavrupoli) Forestry Directorates are unable to fulfill their necessary obligations due to the unsatisfactory prices determined by the Ministry.
Firewood is the only option to meet the heating needs of citizens living in the mountainous regions of Yeniköy (Stavrupoli) and the Municipality of Mustafçova (Miki) in this period of energy crisis, when the fuel prices reached its peak, began to be felt.
Although the amount of wood offered by Xanthi Forestry Directorate for the use of beneficiaries is a necessary aid, it is not sufficient to meet their heating needs in any way, and according to their statement, efforts are being made to collect the amount of wood it offers to 2,500 beneficiary families.
Since the prices given by the Ministry to the cooperatives are very low compared to the free market, the cooperatives do not cut. In the latest press release made by the ministry, he stated that the prices should be adjusted, but this could be implemented next year.
In this period when the energy crisis creates serious problems, citizens living in mountainous regions should benefit from free wood distribution in order to meet their increasing heating needs.
The low prices given by the Ministry to cooperatives are because there is a shortage of wood available to residents and this will lead to illegal cutting.
Since the needs of citizens living in mountainous regions should be met and the solution of the problem should not be postponed to the next year.
1- In order to encourage cooperatives to start cutting trees, do you plan to increase allowances for wood distribution to those living in mountainous regions?
2- How do you plan to support our citizens living in mountainous regions in the country, where the need for heating is an extremely important problem, and how to prevent illegal tree cutting?
