Forests area decreased by 0.1% in Bashkiria

UFA, 28 December 2017. /Bashinform News Agency/. The forest coverage in relation to the land area decreased by 0.1% in the territory of Bashkortostan. According to the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Bashkortostan, this was due to the prevalence of felling areas over reforestation in recent years. The ratio of the reforestation area to the area of forest disposal as a result of clean felling is 92.4%. This is written by RBC-Ufa.

"From 2007 to 2013, forest management in Bashkiria was not carried out due to the lack of federal funding", the Deputy Minister of Forestry Arslan Murzagildin said at the board of the State Assembly – Kurultay RB.

Illegal logging remains a serious problem affecting the condition of the Bashkir forests.

"Despite our activities, the level of forest regulations violations remains high," said Arslan Murzagildin. "Firstly, the illegal lumberjacks became much more equipped and mobile. Secondly, the number of forest users (tenants) increases annually, as a result of which the deficit of coniferous plantations allocated to the population pushes for violation of the legislation. Thirdly, there is a shortage of inspectors in the region".

According to some experts, the regional Ministry of Forestry does not have enough powers for effective control and influence on loggers, and small fines, including for violation of obligations on reforestation, do not facilitate the situation.