Actions must be based on the Law

Land relations are built on a number of principles, such as the use of land plots for their intended purpose, efficient use of land, land protection, protection of land users' rights, and others.

Ignorance of land and environmental protection legislation can harm the environment and lead to administrative liability.

In accordance with subparagraphs 1.1, 1.2 of paragraph 1 of Article 85 of the Land Code of the Republic of Belarus, land users are obliged to use land plots in accordance with their intended purpose and the conditions for allocating land plots; to carry out measures for land protection, including the preservation of soil fertility and other beneficial properties of land.

The Vitebsk Transport Prosecutor's Office, in the course of supervision, identified significant violations of land and environmental protection legislation in the "Vitebskvodtrans" branch of the RUE "Dnieper-Bug Waterway".

From September 2019 to September 2021, employees of the branch, without proper design documentation, using equipment on a land plot provided for the placement of industrial facilities, owned by the branch, illegally constructed two surface water bodies (artificial reservoirs).

These actions led to the violation of the fertile soil layer and land degradation over an area of 1,845 sq.m., which resulted in environmental damage in the amount of 38,376 rubles.

The environmental damage caused has been fully compensated by the branch.

Based on the results of the inspection, the Vitebsk Transport Prosecutor's Office submitted a representation to the General Director of RUE "Dnieper-Bug Waterway" to eliminate violations of land and environmental protection legislation, as well as the causes and conditions contributing to them.

For the violations committed, the responsible officials will be brought to justice in accordance with the law.

Deputy Vitebsk Transport Prosecutor E.A. Kazakova