Ukraine restricts one of the most popular types of tourist entertainment: details

The Ukrainian parliament has finally passed a draft law that protects nature parks and reserves from illegal tourist attractions. Find out what exactly it is about

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The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has passed Bill 11024, which bans jeeping in nature reserves. The decision was supported by 246 MPs, as reported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources.

It should be noted that such walks were offered as entertainment for tourists, mainly in the Carpathians.

If you want to spend an unforgettable and eco-friendly holiday in the mountains or other equally beautiful places in Ukraine, book tours on Visit Ukraine. We guarantee that your trip will be as safe and unforgettable as possible.

Reasons for the jeeping restrictions

The Minister of Environmental Protection Svitlana Grinchuk stressed that jeeping in protected areas has a negative impact on the environment, polluting the soil, destroying vegetation and posing a threat to wildlife. The adoption of the law is an important step towards European standards for the protection of natural areas.

‘If you are offered a quad bike ride in a natural area of a national park, you should know that it is illegal,’ the minister said.

The ban on jeeping was initiated by a petition filed by Ukrainians in September 2022, which was the first step towards introducing restrictions. The draft law provides for a ban on the use of motorised vehicles, such as jeeps, ATVs and buggies, in the territories of nature reserves and national parks of Ukraine.

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Exceptions

Previously, such excursions were offered to tourists, especially in the Carpathians, where jeeping was very popular. However, after the adoption of the law, travel will remain permitted only for certain categories of persons, including

- owners and users of land plots in protected areas;

- officials of the State Environmental Inspectorate;

- representatives of executive bodies of local councils;

- law enforcement officers;

- emergency rescue services, medical workers, military personnel and other lawful armed groups;

- public inspectors.

The ban does not apply to public roads, streets of settlements and roads on private land. The following are also allowed to pass:

- employees of organisations that maintain the infrastructure of protected areas;

- local residents using the territory for their own needs;

- tourists travelling on specially marked routes and roads.

It is worth noting that the draft law in its current version does not provide for specific measures of liability for violation of the ban.

We remind you! Despite the challenges of the war, Ukraine's tourism industry is demonstrating resilience and recovery. In the first three quarters of 2024, tourist tax grew by 21% year-on-year.

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