The necessity to draw up the Forestry Development Plan arises from the Forest Act and the Sustainable Development Act. According to the Forest Act, a development plan shall be prepared at least every ten years for directing forestry, determining the objectives of forestry development and describing the measures and resources needed for the achievement thereof. The present Forestry Development Plan approved by the Riigikogu has been prepared for 2001-2010. Now, a plan should be prepared for 2011‑2020.
Significant changes have occurred in Estonian forestry in the past decade. The development of forest industry has continued; state forestry administration has been strengthened; forest protection and reforestation as well as the application of legislative provisions have enhanced significantly; support to private forest owners has also increased.
The main aim of the development plan to be prepared is to balance the use and tending of forest, ensure long-term competitiveness of forestry and organise effective protection of forests.
Representatives of relevant state authorities and companies, organisations, foundations and profit-making state agencies as well as non-profit associations and other interested parties will be included in the preparation of the development plan. The preparation of the development plan will be coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment and the plan will be developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Education and Research as well as the Ministry of Finance. In addition, representatives of stakeholders and experts will be included in order to receive better know-how and to outline development scenarios.
More than a half of Estonian land (51%) is covered by forest and it is one of our biggest natural and economical resources. 70% or 1.5 million ha of Estonian forests are commercial forests, the rest being protected and protection forests. Estonia holds the 4th place in Europe in terms of forest coverage, dropping only behind Finland, Sweden and Slovenia. Forest land per capita is 1.7 ha in Estonia and the amount of growing stock per capita reaches 337 cubic meters.
Additional information: (12/03/2009) |
