Public Consciousness and Influence of Law on Forest Crimes: Insights from Kastamonu, Turkey

Abstract

This study assessed the forest crimes committed in Kastamonu Regional Directorate of Forestry (KRDF), where forest areas are dense, examined the influences of law and public awareness on changes in crime rates. Nowadays, as the benefits of the forests are gaining importance, efforts to enforce the rule of law in the protection of forests and to raise public awareness on the issue have been increasing. In this study, first the concepts of crime and forest crime were examined, followed by an evaluation of types of forest crimes and the measures taken in in response. Afterwards, a questionnaire study was conducted with people living in the villages affiliated with the KRDF, the sample field, with the purpose of investigating public awareness of forest crimes and penalties, and whether this awareness decreased the crime rates. Using the questionnaire, public awareness of forest crimes and penalties were investigated as well as the reasons that lead to committing such crimes. In addition, the perspective of the society on the forest was also assessed with the help of the questionnaire, in order to reduce the crime rates and to increase the effectiveness of law. If the public was aware of both the forest crimes and penalties sufficiently, the crime rates were often lower in the area because residents obeyed the rules. Therefore, the effectiveness of law is high. This is important in terms of reducing forest crime rates, preserving forest assets, sustainable forestry, and transferring it to future generations. Thus, the legal rules meet these objectives. However, in cases where the crime rate was high even though the public awareness on forest crimes is adequate, the effectiveness of law is low, and other measures shall will have to be adopted.