Krystian Maj

„Logging of the world heritage”

„Logging of the world heritage” is the first part of an ongoing project documenting the Polish government’s policy of turning back the clock on environmental protections at the moment of global climate crisis. Rather than pursuing sustainable energy policies mandated by the Paris Agreement, the government is promoting polluting fossil fuel energy production such as coal mining.

After the elections in Poland in October 2015 the victorious Law and Justice party announced it would allow logging in the Bialowieza forest, the oldest primeval forest in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage. The environmental minister claimed the spruce bark beetle plague necessitated the logging but environmentalists disagreed. Scandal broke out after information was leaked that the government planned to cut trees in zones strictly prohibited by UNESCO. The European Union Tribunal of Justice demanded Poland stop the activity but the Polish Minister of Environment said the Bible allows man to rule the earth and logging would continue.

Environmentalists from all over the world came to Bialowieza in the summer and fall of 2017 to defend the unique forest. These pictures document the controversial decision of the Polish government and the dedication of ordinary people committed to protecting the forest.

Krystian Maj

Ambitious, independent and reliable freelance photographer working entire Europe, including post-soviet states. Experienced in covering wide range news for wire agencies (FORUM, ZUMA, Vice, Reuters, AFP) and stories (Financial Times, Die Tageszeitung, Wysokie obcasy, SRF). Skilled in photographing humanitarian crisis (Balkan route), conflict zones (ISIS frontline in Iraq, Crimea annexation, Maidan revolution), as well as local stories.

Personally focused in covering humanitarian and environmental issues.

Works published in VICE, AP/Reuters/AFP wire, Newsweek, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Guardian, Paris Match, La Repubblica, Dagbladet Dagen, Российская газета, Gazeta Wyborcza, Fakt, SE, and many more worldwide.