The region is working on large-scale reforestation
Lviv region is one of the most forested in Ukraine, with 31.8% of the total land area covered by forests.
A meeting was held to discuss the preservation of self-forested land plots and forest lands not granted for use. The meeting was held in a mixed format. The participants developed an algorithm for classifying land plots as self-forested.
The algorithm includes:
– compilation of lists of self-forested land plots and land plots suitable for forest creation within territorial communities;
– regulating the issue of classifying them as self-forested (Article 57-1 of the Land Code of Ukraine);
– making a decision on their transfer to permanent forest users or the creation of a special unit and ensuring forestry on these lands.
As part of the meeting, a 26-hectare self-forested land plot was inspected, which the Hnizdychiv Village Council agreed to transfer to the permanent use of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” for forestry. The participants of the meeting planted more than 300 seedlings of common oak on a part of this plot as a first step towards the reconstruction of the plantations.
“Despite the fact that Lviv region is one of the most forested regions, with 31.8% of the total area covered by forests, the issue of preserving self-sown forests is on the agenda of the regional state administration. Forests are one of the ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change, but they are also good allies in climate stabilisation due to their ability to fix carbon dioxide and retain water. Thus, climate change has a negative impact on forests, and forests can prevent or slow down the process of climate change. As of today, there are 2,233 self-forested plots in the region covering 9.6 thousand hectares, and our common task is to preserve them,” said Oksana Viytyk, Acting Director of the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Lviv Regional State Administration.
The meeting was attended by heads of local communities, representatives of the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of Lviv Oblast State Administration, Western Interregional Forestry and Hunting Administration, Galsillis, State Ecological Inspectorate in Lviv Oblast, Carpathian Forest Office of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”, Main Department of the State Geocadastre in Lviv Oblast, Specialised Environmental Prosecutor’s Office of Lviv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office, Stryi District Military Administration, forestry and hunting management, and other representatives of the regional authorities.
A self-forested plot is a land plot (except for forestry, nature reserve and other environmental protection lands) with an area of more than 0.5 hectares covered partially or completely with forest vegetation, which was naturally afforested.