According to the head of the forest resources department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Igor Popov, Pridnestrovie is a forest-poor region.
«Our forest rate is 7.6%, whereas the standard is 12−15%. Only Kamenka district corresponds to this standard. While we are at this level, we must carefully treat the natural resources around us," he noted on Radio 1.
Today the area of the state forest resources is 28,000 ha. This year, for the first time in 20 years, we have managed to significantly increase it.
«Now the lands that are not cultivated are being allocated to the state forest resources. And there is much to be done. In 2015, for the first time in the past years, we have received the first 400 ha and reached over 28,000 ha. Now this area of 400 ha will be afforested," said Igor Popov, adding that the long-term afforestation programme suggests the conveyance of 1,500 ha to the state forest resources in all regions of the country.
According to the analysis carried out by the ministry, over the past 10 years the area of 1,174 ha has been afforested in Pridnestrovie. In the past three years GUP «Pridnestrovie Forest» plants 150 ha of forests each year.
There is also the National City Landscaping Programme in Pridnestrovie, according to which over 41 ha of green spaces will be created in cities and villages.
«Despite difficult economic conditions, the programme is under way: all district administrations have allocated space, concluded agreements. They are purchasing the planting material that we grow in our forest nurseries," concluded Igor Popov.
