Determination of socioeconomic causes of forest crimes: A case study of Yığılca district forest villagers

It is seen that forest crimes are committed by agriculturalists and forest villagers in rural areas in Turkey. Forest crimes are committed for various reasons and it is an important issue that should be emphasized in the sustainability of forest existence. The aim of this study is to determine the situation of forest crimes according to the types of crimes, to reveal the socioeconomic reasons for committing these crimes and to offer some suggestions for the prevention of forest crimes. The study area is the province of Düzce, Yığılca, located in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. A document analysis study was conducted to evaluate the data on forest crimes committed in the region for the years 2019-2020. According to the findings of the study, it has been determined that the main forest crimes committed in Yığılca district are occupation-utilization, illegal cutting, causing forest fire by negligence and illegal transportation /possesion. As a result of the study, suggestions were made to the decision makers according to the types and numbers of forest crimes committed in Yığılca region.