An Analysis of Forest Crimes Committed between 1997-2025 at the Trabzon Forest Regional Directorate

Forests have been one of the most valuable resources for human survival and meeting needs from the beginning of life to the present day. Even the smallest intervention in forests can affect all living things. Therefore, forest crimes are an important issue that needs to be addressed in terms of the sustainable management of natural and forest resources. In this study, forest crimes, crime types, and the distribution of these crimes within the Trabzon Regional Forestry Directorate (OBM) and its affiliated Forestry Management Directorates (OİM) between 1997 and 2025 were examined. According to the research findings, a total of 15,879 crimes were committed in Trabzon OBM during the relevant period, of which 9131 were cutting, 2664 were clearing, 1464 were occupation, 1214 were possession, 755 were transportation, 337 were consumption, 112 were grazing, 115 were arson, 2 were hunting, and 1 was mining. The results show that the most common types of crime in Trabzon Forestry Directorate and its affiliated Forest Management Units are logging, clearing, and illegal occupation, while grazing, arson, mining, and hunting crimes remain at low levels. In conclusion, the types of crimes committed in forest areas within the jurisdiction of the Trabzon Regional Directorate of Forestry and its affiliated Forest Management Directorates, as well as the causes of these crimes, have been comprehensively evaluated; based on the findings, various recommendations have been developed to reduce the frequency of these crimes.