Forests – a vital resource for Moldova’s future
Biodiversity sustains human life, providing clean air, potable water, and nutritious food resources. Every species, regardless of size, plays an essential role in ecosystem balance. In Moldova, forests are a natural and economic treasure: they shelter over 80% of the country’s biological diversity, protect against floods and storms, generate jobs, and form part of the national identity.
However, these natural resources are under immense pressure. Illegal logging poses a constant threat, reducing sustainable development potential and affecting the country’s path toward European integration.
The challenge of illegal logging
The types of illegal logging are diverse: from a household collecting firewood for heating to large-scale exploitation for unauthorized sawmills or illegal timber trade. The problem is worsened by ineffective monitoring, insufficient penalties, and limited enforcement capacities.
Although Moldova has a clear legal framework and the Code of Offenses provides strict sanctions, enforcement is not always sufficiently deterrent. In many cases, when authorities detect illegal activities, the damage is already irreversible.
An important step in this regard is the National Program for Forest Expansion and Rehabilitation (PNERP) 2023–2032, which plans to afforest approximately 145,000 hectares of degraded or private land. This can significantly reduce pressure on existing forests.
Technology – an ally in forest protection
Traditional monitoring methods, such as forest patrols or periodic inspections, cannot efficiently cover the entire forest territory, especially in remote areas. For this reason, Moldova is testing and implementing innovative digital solutions and equipment to increase monitoring and control capabilities, demonstrating that digitalization can be a key tool in combating illegal logging.
PERIVALLON’s contribution
A crucial role in this transition is played by the PERIVALLON project, funded through the Horizon Europe program, which aims to develop a modern framework for addressing environmental crime, ultimately protecting ecosystems.
Within PERIVALLON, the General Police Inspectorate (GPI) of Moldova participates as a Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) and final beneficiary. This means that the Police has direct access to advanced technological tools, as well as methodologies and international best practices to combat environmental crimes such as illegal logging.
Specifically, through the project Moldova benefits from:
– Integrated monitoring systems using sensors, drones, and satellites;
– A digital shared database to allow rapid information exchange among authorities;
– Enhanced Police operational capacities through specialized training and access to smart solutions;
– International cooperation, aligning Moldova with European standards in environmental protection.
To validate the solutions developed under the PERIVALLON project, four Pilot Use Cases (PUCs) were organized, each targeting a specific type of environmental crime.
One of them is PUC4 – the illegal trade of ozone-depleting substances and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Here, the Police played an active role, testing innovative approaches to prevent and investigate the trafficking of substances that harm the climate.
This work is not just about global environmental rules – it has a direct impact on Moldova’s forests. Climate change is making forests more vulnerable than ever: extreme temperatures, repeated droughts, and imbalances in local ecosystems increase trees’ susceptibility to disease and pests. By combating the illegal trade of ozone-depleting substances, we are, indirectly, taking a step toward protecting forests, the lifeblood of Moldova’s environment.
Through its involvement in PUC4, the General Police Inspectorate demonstrates its commitment to international environmental standards while also strengthening the resilience of local ecosystems. Their participation highlights a clear message: protecting the climate and protecting forests go hand in hand, and effective action requires cooperation with international partners and the smart use of innovative technology.
Towards a sustainable future
Today, Moldova has a modern arsenal: drones, satellites, acoustic sensors, and digital applications. Yet, true change does not come solely from technology. It depends on how these tools are integrated into a national strategy supported by strong legislation and community involvement.
The future of Moldova’s forests depends on cooperation between authorities, communities, and international partners. Only through an integrated approach – combining legislation, technology, and citizen engagement – can we turn the chaos of illegal logging into efficient and transparent control.
Written by Radu Borş
General Police Inspectorate