On the initiative of Municipality of Gavdos, this year (for the first time and with the permission of the forestry department) several pine trees were cut down, which had either dried up or were in plain sight for fear of falling down, causing damage or even becoming flammable material for a fire.
The felled trees were chopped up and distributed to the inhabitants of the island, in order to be used as firewood in their stoves and fireplaces, in order to cope with the cold days of the season. Already, all the requests of its households have been met, and about another quantity has been stockpiled to be distributed when the first tranche is finished.
Nomination for the European Prize for Innovation in Politics
It is worth noting that for this initiative the Municipality of Gavdos is nominated for the Human Rights Award and the Local Development Award in the framework of the Pan-European Awards for Innovation in Politics.
The exports
The ban on the dispatch of processed or unprocessed logging products from 15 November to 1 March 2023, provides for an amendment submitted by the Ministry of Development to the Parliament.
All logging products that will be attempted to be exported will be confiscated, according to the amendment, according to which the confiscated products will be delivered directly to the local Development Directorate of the relevant Region, in order to be used for the treatment of immediate social need or the fulfillment of a public benefit purpose or the implementation of charitable actions.
Violation of the export prohibition constitutes smuggling, for which a cumulative administrative penalty of a fine of EUR 200 per cubic metre of timber products attempted or proven to have been exported and a minimum of one year's imprisonment will be imposed.
The aim is to tackle accuracy and unfair profiteering. The amendment notes that timber is already being used as an important alternative fuel source due to the energy crisis, making its marketing an object of protection and regulation, in order to avoid illegal logging during the winter months when there will be increased demand.
The aim is to address the high price of these products on the market and the increased risk of illegal logging phenomena in the coming winter.
