AGENCY PREPARES FOR MASSIVE INVENTORY OF FORESTS

ARMENPRESS
Apr 09 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS: Chief manager of Armenian Forest company,
an affiliation of the agricultural ministry with a wide scope of
independence Martoun Matevosian said today his agency is launching
a massive inventory of Armenian forests to have a clear picture of
the nation’s forest reserves and potential.

He said the inventory will take up at least five years. Last time
such inventory was held in 1988-1992.

According to Matevosian, the volume of illegal logging has reduced
more than three times since 2005, which he attributed to a wider use
of natural gas by Armenian households, especially in rural areas.

Another reason behind the fall is higher wages for forest keepers
who now receive 55,000 Drams, drastically up from 7,000 in 2000.

Historically forests covered approximately 40-45% of the current
territory of Armenia and in the early 19th century the figure was about
25%. Now forests cover approximately about 9 percent the country’s
territory. Non-governmental organizations warn that loss of forests
brings problems of soil erosion, landslides, loss of springs and
rivers, loss of fruits and other forest products, greater weather
damage, loss of productive soil, loss of biodiversity, loss of
sensitive animal habitat and additional problems.

Some of the greatest loss occurred during the energy crisis in
the early 1990’s, but cutting still continues. According to expert
estimates, at current rates of destruction Armenian forests would be
eradicated within 20 years.

However, according to Matevosian, last year Armenian imported 52,000
cubic meters of timber and exported 1,200 cubic meters. He said the
export volume fell radically from 12,000 cubic meters in previous
years.

Agricultural minister David Lokian said Armenia has to export some
kinds of timber which have no domestic demand. He said after natural
falling these trees remain in forests.

The two men spoke today at the meeting of the state forest monitoring
council. The minister said law-enforcers and foresters detected last
year 6,825 illegally cut trees, which caused a total of 173 million
Drams of damages, but so far only part of these damages-12 million
Drams- were recovered.