The concept of a forest as a natural object and an object of legal protection

Abstract

This scientific article provides a general description of forest resources as an object of administrative and legal research and an object of legal protection, as well as a study of the general concept of a forest and the concept of a forest as an object of legal protection. In modern conditions (aggression from Russia and crimes against ecocide), the issue of forest protection is very relevant. As you know, everything in nature is interconnected and interdependent, so by preserving the forest, we also preserve other natural objects. It has been established that forest resources are wood, technical, medicinal and other forest products that are used to meet the needs of the population and production and are reproduced in the process of forming forest natural complexes.
 An analysis of the concepts of the forest from the point of view of scientists and legal acts was carried out, and the role of the forest and its functions were determined. Our vision of the concept of forest is proposed, namely: a forest is a complex, multifunctional, reproducible object of nature (plant life) and an object of state ownership, which is part of the natural environment and performs two important functions: economic and ecological. The economic includes: the use of wood in economic activities, the use of gifts of the forest (berries, mushrooms, medicinal plants) - in vital activities and human health. Ecological can include the restoration and purification of air in the atmosphere, a positive effect on the regulation of the ecosystem in all territories of Ukraine, from an agricultural point of view, it has a positive effect on the protection of soils from erosion and increases the yield of agricultural products, etc. After all, the possibility of the existence of a forest as such is related to its inherent property, namely: restoration, i.e., a continuous, constantly operating process of vital activity of interconnected organisms that go through a complete life cycle from birth to death with subsequent reproduction.
 The issue of legal protection of forests of Ukraine was also considered, measures were proposed to improve the legal regulation of relations. Based on the analysis of scientists, the features regulating relations in the use and protection of forests have been established. After all, the shortcomings of the national forest legislation and insufficient protection of forests, illegal felling, problems in delimiting the powers of control bodies, ecocide against natural forest objects by the aggressor state lead to the destruction of forests and damage to the surrounding natural environment.