Activist Blockade To Save Poland's Carpathian Forest From Logging

MAKOWA, POLAND - APRIL 29: Jakub, a 34 years old with doctoral studies on Ecological economics, and Edyta, a 34 years old environmental activist inspect recently logged trunks on April 29, 2021, in Makowa, Poland. The Wild Carpathians initiative, a group of environmentalists and activists, has blocked access to strategic logging areas as the State Forests continues to conduct a so-called forest management plan. The area, rich in biodiversity and wildlife, is located in the earth of the Eastern Carpathian mountain range, covering an area of over 17,000 square meters. After the fall of communism, privatized land ownership saw accelerated deforestation. For 35 years, efforts have been made to re-establish the rich environmental area as a national park to be called ‘Turnicki’. According to researchers and experts, the area is home to 300 years old trees and more than 130 protected bird species as well as lynx, wolf, and bears, among other animals. (Footage by Omar Marques/Getty Images)