In previous years, there were no money for afforestation projects, so there was no rush to grow seedlings. Currently, funding is available, but there aren’t enough seedlings to buy.
Although the Ministry of Environment disposes of 60 million euros for this year’s afforrestation programmes, it cannot be fully spent, because of the lack of seedlings. "We have more money than we could spend on afforestation. Of the total amount of 60 million euros, we can’t use more than 60-70% because there are no seeds available," stated Mr. Cristian Apostol, States Secretary in the Ministry of Environment.
He explained that the lack of seedlings is caused precisely by the fact that in past years there were no money for afforestation purposes, thus, companies that were growing seedlings hadn’t begun a larger production. A three year period must pass until a seed can be planted as a tree seedling. These companies did not plan for a larger production and were unable to antipate such a demand. "One hectare of forest requires 5,000 seedlings, on average, depending on location and type of tree", Mr. Apostol added. The 60 million euros would be enough for planting trees on a total area of 10,000 hectares throughout the country in the so-called „improvement perimeters”. So far, the ministry disposes of 7,000 hectares, but it has addressed the State Domains Agency (ADS) for the transfer of 3000 hectares, that are currently not used.
49,000 hectares by 2013
In any case, by next year, the problem of planting materials must be solved or Romania will lose european funding. In 2011, the Programme called "First afforestation” belonging to the National Rural Development will be instated, for which the EU has granted 263.6 million euros. This money, that must be spent by 2013, can cover up to 49,000 ha. Thus, the percentage of Romania’s total area covered by forests could rise from the current 26.5% to 28%.
Deforestation is another problem that the authorities are facing, who have discovered that the volume of 180,000 cubic meters illegal harvested timber remains constant from year to year. Last year, a total quantity of 180,000 cubic meters was illegal harvested, about 174,000 cubic meters in 2008 and a year before - 175,000 cubic meters.
Damages caused by fire diminished from nearly 700,000 lei in 2008, to only 86,000 lei last year.
Source: www.universulpadurii.ro |
