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Yesterday (20 November), the Court upheld its temporary ban on active forest management in the area issued on 27 July, arguing that Poland’s active management techniques are likely to cause lasting damage to the natural habitats of bird and animal species present in the forest.

Białowieża has been designated Natura 2000 status, an EU designation which is awarded to sites that are particularly important for biodiversity conservation. The area is also Poland’s only natural World Heritage Site, a transboundary designation shared with Belarus, and is considered one of Europe’s best preserved forests.

The forest is home to approximately 1,700 species of plants, 4,000 fungi species, 12,000 invertebrate species, 250 bird species, 13 amphibian, 7 reptile, and 59 mammal species including the largest herd of European bison.

In the , the Court ordered Poland to comply with the ruling or face fines of at least €100,000 per day until it does or until the EU Court issues its final decision on the case.

The judgment also follows the adoption of a by the World Heritage Committee, following Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥â€™s advice, urging Poland to cease logging in the old-growth forests of BiaÅ‚owieża. The decision asks Poland to submit a report on its conservation status as well as invite the World Heritage Centre and Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ to carry out a mission to evaluate the site.

"Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ remains concerned with the activity in BiaÅ‚owieża and will continue dialogue with Poland over how best to preserve this unique European heritage site," said Luc Bas, Director of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥â€™s European Regional Office.