Mr. Arnold Rüütel, President of the Republic of Estonia, and Mr. Villu Reiljan, Minister of the Environment, will open this year’s Forestry Week under a slogan "Forest Links Generations" in the main hall of the National Library on Monday, April 21. According to Minister Villu Reiljan, Estonia’s forestry will need to return to its original sustainable way of development. "This is our responsibility towards the coming generations," said Mr. Reiljan. A public opinion study conducted by EMOR Ltd. in February-March indicated that the people of Estonia consider the preservation of forests and sustainability of forestry to be of highest concern among environmental issues. In the opinion of inhabitants, the state of forests has worsened considerably in the last five years - especially due to illegal logging and overintensive cutting. The first Forestry Day in Estonia was organized 75 years ago - on May 16, 1928 - with the aim to get private forest-owners involved in the planting of new forests. Since 1993, the Forestry Days have been replaced by Forestry Weeks. Thus, the Forestry Week held on April 21-27, 2003, will inter alia celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first Forestry Day and the tenth anniversary of the first Forestry Week. However, the issues of main concern have remained the same over time - sustainable forest management and afforestation. The opening of the Forestry Week on April 21 will be followed by a Crossfire on forest-related topics, the panel including Mr. Villu Reiljan - Minister of the Environment, Mr. Aigar Kallas - Director-General of the State Forest Management Centre, Mr. Jaanus Aun - Head of Board of the Estonian Private Forest Owners Association, Mr. Andres Talijärv - Executive Director of the Estonian Forest Industries Association, and Mr. Olav Etverk - Head of Forestry Department of the Ministry of the Environment. The crossfire will be facilitated by journalist Mr. Riho Västrik. For additional information please contact: |
