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170 officers and 85 crews were used for this purpose: 19 employees of the Department of Environmental Protection, 15 foresters of the State Forest Company, 23 policemen, 9 employees of the Forest Service, 1 employee of the Military Police and 18 employees of the State Service of Protected Areas, according to the Department of Environmental Protection (AAD).
Crews of the employees of the institutions inspect the territories throughout Lithuania: in forests, landscape reserves, educational trails or other protected areas.
“We noticed that the number of ATV violations is increasing. According to the AAD Messaging Service, in 2020. we received 30 notifications and in the first quarter of this year we already received 18 notifications. With this campaign, we want to warn drivers of off-road vehicles: we will continue to carry out raids so that vegetation in the beautiful corners of nature is not destroyed ”, says Žygimantas Daukša, Head of the Department of Organization of Activities.
According to the environmentalist, ATVs prefer to travel in landscape reserves, nature trails or other protected areas, rather than easements that are allowed.
“However, in this way they destroy mountain slopes, vegetation and forest cover, so we must prevent such irresponsible attitudes and encourage ATVs to act responsibly,” emphasizes Ž. Daukša.
The final results of the raid will be known next week.
The rules for riding quads are regulated by the Road Traffic Rules: quads can be used on the same roads as other motor vehicles. This means that driving off the road and on the natural forest floor is prohibited.
ATV drivers face fines and environmental damage for destroying the forest floor. The fines for infractions can amount up to 560 euros, which are included in articles 278, 282 and 256 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
