More than 3.5 thousand hectares of forest will be planted in the Vitebsk region
Over 3.5 thousand hectares of forest are planned to be planted this spring in the region, as reported by Vitebsk State Forestry Production Association.
From March 28 to April 4, the "Forest Week-2015" campaign will be held in the republic, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The foresters of Vitebsk region have not stayed aside. Sites for planting have been selected in all forestries and forest enterprises. It is also planned to clear forests and roadside strips of debris and garbage, clean up and partially repair recreation areas.
Information about the campaign is posted on the website of the Ministry of Forestry.
Volunteers from public and youth organizations will create new arboretums, memorial alleys and squares, and improve the territories of memorial complexes, places of military glory, and burial sites of soldiers and partisans. Among the permanent and active participants of the campaign are traditionally the foresters themselves. Those wishing to join the campaign can contact forestry organizations.
"Registration is currently underway, so it is difficult to name the exact number of participants, as well as the planting volumes, since everything will depend on weather conditions. In general, over 3.5 thousand hectares of forest are planned to be planted in the region this spring. All 19 forestry institutions of Vitebsk State Forestry Production Association will be involved in this. The largest areas are allocated to Orsha Forest Enterprise - one thousand hectares, Rossonsky - over 300 hectares, Tolochinsky - about 300 hectares, Verkhnedvinsky - 220 hectares, Begomlsky - 190 hectares, and Lioznensky - 170 hectares," explained Alexey Kitašev, leading engineer for forest restoration and reclamation of Vitebsk State Forestry Production Association.
The traditional cultures for the region are European spruce and Scots pine. Over 2.4 thousand hectares and 960 hectares, respectively, are allocated for their planting. About 140 hectares are planned to be occupied by hardwood species (common ash, pedunculate oak, Norway maple) and 45 hectares by European larch. The majority of plantings (about 70%) will be mixed – they are the most resistant, especially in modern conditions, when there is a probability of global climate change.
Planting material is provided by own nurseries (there are 16 in the region), a small part was purchased in the Mogilev region – to ensure the implementation of the plans of the Orsha forestry. In addition, over 1.1 thousand hectares will be occupied by selected planting material, which will significantly increase their productivity in the future.
Ekaterina Knyazeva, BELTA