A surface area equivalent to 300 football pitches of woodland was cleared in Flanders last year. The daily ‘De Morgen’ reports that municipal and other authorities granted permission for the clearance of 209 hectares of forest in our region during 2024.
The Flemish Nature and Woodland Agency gave its approval to 91% of the deforestation permits on which it was asked to advise.
In most cases, trees were cleared to make way for houses, roads or industrial estates. The number of permits issued was at its highest level since 2020. However, the total area that was deforested in 2024 was slightly less than it was then.
The green member of the Flemish Parliament Mieke Schauvliege requested the figures on deforestation from the Flemish Environment Minister Jo Brouns (Christian democrat). She told ‘De Morgen’ that “It is still the case that anyone that wants to cut down trees in Flanders can just get their chainsaws out”.
“Approval seems to be a formality, even when it concerns valuable old forests”.
Mr Brouns says any deforestation is being compensated for. However, less than half of the reforestation promised in the pervious legislature (2019 – 2024) has been realised. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, provide cooling and act as a natural water buffer. This is particularly the case with mature trees.
Ms Schauvliege calls for a forestation action plan similar to the 1993 Dune Decree that effectively banned any further building of concrete structures in what remained of the dunes at the Flemish coast.