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Romania: Illegal clearing threatens ancient forests

Anna Tillack
December 11, 2025

In Romania, illegal logging claims huge tracts of forest every year. Authorities say organized crime is to blame. Activists and journalists risk their lives to document the illicit activity.

https://p.dw.com/p/54qlX

In Romania’s Southern Carpathians, activists from Agent Green risk their lives to expose illegal logging  in Europe’s last primeval forests. A third of these ancient woodlands is already gone. The "lumber mafia" exploits loopholes, felling healthy trees under false pretenses and selling timber across the EU. Despite threats and violence, campaigners push for an EU law to stop the destruction — before it’s too late.