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Agriculture : In H1 2016, Romsilva reforested 11,582 hectares of state-owned forestland
In H1 2016, Romania's National Forestry Corporation RNP Romsilva reforested 11,582 hectares of state-owned forestland on regeneration works worth 56.4 million lei, according to a Romsilva report released on Monday.
The report indicates that the artificial regeneration works planned for spring 2016 involving 3,761 hectares has been 111 percent completed, meaning 4,164 hectares were reforested in the end. Artificial regeneration entails full plantation.
On the other hand, natural regeneration works were conducted over 7,418 hectares, by 13 percent more that the initially planned 6,590 hectares.
'Natural regeneration is done by plots by concentrated felling of trees over small areas of the same plots in the exploitation plan. The areas thus cleared give way to forests growing from the seeds of the felled trees, which sets in motion natural regeneration conditions. Natural regeneration works will then be conducted in stages and a timeframe of up to 20 years comprising the entire forestland area under the exploitation plan so that the newly created forests may take over the functions of the old and exploited forests. Natural regeneration is also done in protected areas, where such works are allowed, meaning the sustainable development areas marked as thus under a management plan. The procedure entails public bidding for logging exploitation in the envisaged areas, with works requiring approvals and authorisations from many public bodies, the park administrations and the Environmental Protection Agency included under forestry planning documents,' says Romsilva.
It also says the 2016 forestry regeneration programme comprises 14,570 hectares, 8,640 (59.3 percent) by natural regeneration and 5.930 hectares (40.7 percent) by artificial regeneration.
In the first six months of 2016, 11,582 hectares of forestland were reforested, with the regeneration of state-owned forestland having incurred costs of 56.4 million lei.
'Romsilva has been promoting natural regeneration recommended by forestry experts as that is seen as the best technical and economic solution for forest regeneration. The areas undergoing natural regeneration are the forests having reached exploitable age, with logging conducted over small patches, so as to secure the best conditions for the growth of saplings, because the seeding from exploited trees needs sunlight, as well as the protection of the rest of the forest involved. On the other hand, the remaining functions of forests are kept intact, especially those regarding soil protection. This way, an exchange of generations of trees is secured,' Romsilva Director General Ciprian Pahontu is quoted as saying in a press statement.
Romsilva is the administrator of 3.154 million hectares of state-owned forestland, while also providing public services and management for 1 million more privately-owned forests. It has a 16,500 staff. It is the administrator of 22 natural and national parks, also operating a department for thoroughbred horses and curating the Hunting Museum of the Carpathians Mountains at Posada.