CHANGWON — South Gyeongsang Province said it will conduct an intensive crackdown through Oct. 31 on the unauthorized harvesting of forest products, including pine mushrooms, hedgehog mushrooms, chestnuts, acorns and medicinal plants, during the autumn harvest season.
The province will operate joint enforcement teams with cities and counties, along with separate teams run by individual local governments. Unmanned wildfire surveillance cameras and drone monitoring units will also be used.
Enforcement will target not only illegal harvesting but also the use of fire and cooking in forests, illegal dumping of waste, and unauthorized conversion or occupation of forest land.
The province plans to put up banners announcing the crackdown at major trail entrances and village community centers before beginning enforcement.
Stealing forest products from forests can carry a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won under related law.
