Forestry Development Project

closed

The Forestry Development Project entails: (a) sector policy reform: to effect real price increases in the stumpage fees, introduce open market pricing, liberalize both the international trade and the domestic market for wood and wood products, and prepare MinFor enterprises for future privatization; (b) production support: implementation of intensified silviculture; creation of seed facilities; provision of harvesting equipment and spare parts; and introduction to efficient harvesting practices; (c) forest fire protection: provision of adequate protection against forest fires and prevention of the spread of radionuclide contamination through forest fires; and (d) forest ecology: policy for the preservation of biodiversity and species mix; monitoring of forestry air pollution and radionuclide contamination; monitoring of fuelwood utilization; assessment of the ecological impact of the harvest and maintenance systems; improve MinFor regulatory functions and enforcement; and planning of wetland, drained wetlands and Chernobyl-contaminated forest resources. In addition, the project will entail: (e) institution building: professional training in forestry and business; preparation for operations with an open market economy; forestry research planning of forestry higher education reforms; and (f) technical assistance engineering and testing of manufacturing prototypes; computerized planning system for forestry resource management; and upgrading forestry resource planning, staff training, project management and audit.