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Forest certification requires more ecology in minds
International conference "Forest certification and sustainable management in European north of Russia" was held in February in Syktyvkar (Komi Republic of Russia). Industry and state representatives, public experts, scientists from Russia, Germany, Finland, Sweden and Estonia took part in it.
At the conference project participants and experts of Pricebirch Ltd and Smart Wood companies presented the first results of the model certification in forests of Altai region and Komi Republic.
It was stressed by the conference participants that an introduction of the sustainable forest management in Russian Federation was a very complicated task due to a lack of knowledge of forest ecology, biology and environment legislation that forest officials and managers had.
Another big problem that was brought out was a lack of correspondence between forest use regulations. Forest rangers' salaries have unfortunately much to be desired as well.
You may find the resolution of conference on
http://www.forest.ru/eng/sustainable_forestry/certification/pushkinoresol.html
Traffic control versus illegal logging
Ministry of Internal Affairs of Komi Republic have recently got the instructions of the regional government to provide traffic control of all the vehicles transporting logs. Special operational groups consist of militiamen, regional Ministry of Nature Resources and Ministry of Environment experts will be formed to implement the task.
According to the new rules compensation got for illegal logs confiscation (provided by the operational groups) followed by the official sale in regional market, will be allocated to local budget (30 per cent), Ministry of Internal Affairs (30 per cent) and 40 per cent is given to the local forest service.
Regional forest service considers this way of illegal logging regulation to be more or less cost effective. But it shows the official way of solving the issue. Instead of thinking about a prevention of illegal cutting they prefer to benefit by consequences.
Armenian forests are at stake
Joint session of Ministry of Nature Conservation of Armenia (former USSR republic in Transcaucasia) and Armenian Academy of Science was held in February in Erevan, capital of the country.
Ministry of Nature Conservation reported on the results of the project they launched in one of forest holdings to restore the forest complex destroyed by the war with neighboring Azerbaijan and energy crisis of 1990-ies. Illegal logging in the country resulted in an elimination of over than 300 thousand cubic meters of forests.
It will be no exaggeration in saying that this sunny and very dry land is facing catastrophe now. To grow a tree here is harder than wherever else at the European continent because ancient and beautiful Armenian land is as much droughty as stony.
Armenian NGOs are planing workshop on the issue at the end of May. Goal of the seminar will be to work out a project aimed at restoration and development of Armenian forest complex.
They are asking for help:
- they are looking for independent experts from public organizations who might come to Armenia and take part in the workshop which will include discussions in the office and field trips;
- they also will appreciate any financial support of the workshop.
Armenian nature will reward you! - Grant Sargsyan, Eco-Club "Tapan"
Contact: grant@tapan.infocom.amilink.net
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Forest Club model projects and sites
