Penalties for destroying or damaging the country’s vegetation are being tightened. Changes are expected in the Penal Code in this regard. The matter has already been approved in first reading in the Milli Majlis. It should be noted that, according to the law currently in force, the destruction or damage of vegetation due to careless handling of fire or other sources of high danger is punishable by a fine of one thousand to two thousand manats, correctional labor for a period of up to one year or restriction of freedom for a period of up to one year, up to one year will be punished with imprisonment for a specified period. If these acts are committed causing significant damage, a fine of two thousand to four thousand manats or a prison sentence of up to two years is provided.
“Caspian” newspaper article on the subject.
Up to eight years in prison
According to the new project, if the destruction or damage of vegetation due to careless management of fire or other high danger sources is committed causing significant damage (more than five thousand manats, but not more than twenty thousand manats), a fine of double the amount of damage caused as a consequence of the crime or will be punished with a custodial sentence of up to one year. If these acts are committed with significant damage (more than fifty thousand manats), a prison sentence of up to four years is provided. According to the project, if the destruction of green areas occurs through burning or other generally dangerous methods, especially if extensive damage is caused (over fifty thousand manats), it will be punished with a prison sentence of up to eight years.
But I wonder if toughening punishments can reduce negative behavior towards greens in the country.
People should be aware of the sanctions.
Professor Islam Mustafayev, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, stated that economic mechanisms are used in the world to protect the environment. According to him, as economic mechanisms are improved, more effective results are achieved in environmental protection: “However, negative situations cannot be eliminated only with stricter sanctions. In this sense, work must continue serious educational. The population must be informed about the increase in fines and the toughening of penalties. People must be aware of the punishments that await them, so that they show more sensitive behavior towards the environment and the green.
“There must be a fair approach”
According to Ilgar Huseynli, an expert on social issues, although increasing fines has effective results, cases of abuse in this matter are sometimes allowed: “Of course, the application of fines makes people more responsible and disciplined. Because sometimes As the amount of fines increases, the fines increase, this affects the financial budget of each citizen. That is why people try not to violate the rules. But in this matter it is not an exception to allow the violation of citizens’ rights. That creates emergency conditions. Those trees must be pruned or moved. If those who manage the city’s economy do not do this work, sometimes people are forced to eliminate the emergency situation themselves. In such situations, officials. states allow cases of abuse to be a fair approach in this matter. There should be a fairer deal with the citizen who cuts down or prunes the accidental tree.
“The toughening of fines could be a turning point”
The president of the Public Council under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Amin Mammadov, stated that the toughening of sanctions against those who destroy green areas is aimed at drawing attention to the sensitivity of this issue in society: “Observations show that Despite the implementation of appropriate educational measures, the indifferent attitude towards the environment continues. Some legal entities and individuals prioritize their commercial interests, but every tree should be valuable to us, because in the Caucasus, if we take the percentage of the territory. covered in vegetation. We are the least green country. I think the toughening of fines can be a turning point in this area. When people know what punishment awaits them, they will cut a branch from the tree.
“If discrimination is allowed…”
Lawyer Ekrem Hasanov also believes that punishment is one of the most effective means of influence. However, if discrimination is allowed in this matter, it will not be possible to talk about effective results: “People normally avoid public criticism and the law. But let us admit that the majority of our society does not fear public criticism. In any society , if public criticism has no effect, in this case a severe punishment mechanism will work. Therefore, it is important that the punishments are severe. However, it is a positive thing. In this matter, everyone should be equal. discrimination, those who do not respect the law will continue doing what they know. To avoid it, the environment must be vigilant and those who commit it should not be punished when we come across events like this, we should not hesitate to make it public.
