The Gomilshanski Lisy National Nature Park has found itself at the center of a high-profile scandal over possible systematic violations of the nature conservation regime. According to activists and local residents, the facility, which is supposed to protect unique ecosystems, is actually being used as commercial land.
Park director Oleksandr Pomazan has been accused of illegal haymaking, cattle grazing, and the uncontrolled movement of heavy machinery through the reserve. Critics say these actions have led to the degradation of dozens of hectares of protected land over several years, as well as the destruction of habitats for species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.
As noted in internal documents and inspection reports, violations were recorded repeatedly. At the same time, according to the applicants, the administration's reaction was limited to formal responses without real measures to stop illegal activities.
Only in the summer of 2025, according to inspection reports, illegal hay harvesting was documented on three sites within the protected and economic zones. The total amount of damage caused, according to preliminary calculations, exceeded 11.9 million hryvnias. This is an area of over 63 hectares, where, according to available information, the activity was carried out without any permits or established limits.
An illustrative incident was the incident on August 6, 2025, when law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle attempting to transport harvested hay. According to eyewitnesses, the individuals involved in the transportation claimed to have "coordinated" their actions with the park administration. Among those linked to the systematic use of protected meadows for grazing livestock are individual local residents who have been using state lands for private purposes for years.
Critics of the park management argue that ignoring these facts may indicate a conscious connivance with the violations. In their opinion, the Gomilshanski Lisy National Park risks losing its status as a nature conservation institution and becoming a tool for the enrichment of individuals.
No official court decisions or final conclusions of law enforcement agencies in this case have been made public yet. At the same time, environmentalists and the public are demanding a full investigation, bringing those responsible to justice, and restoring the destroyed natural areas.
