Ulaanbaatar
International Day of Forests marked
PoliticsUlaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ March 21, International Day of Forests is being observed throughout the world under the theme “Forests and energy”. The Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. The Second National Forum with theme ‘Forest policy of Mongolia, science and technology” was held at Tuushin Hotel. Some 240 delegates from government organizations, universities, institutes, NGOs and private sector attended the forum.
About 50 percent of global wood production or around 1.86 billion cubic meters of wood are used as energy for cooking, heating, and electricity generation, while in Mongolia, 80 per cent of wood production or 547.2 thousand cubic meters of wood is used for this purpose. The National Forest Census in 2016 revealed that forest of Mongolia has become old-growth forest with low density and their regeneration capacity is insufficient.
The attendants of the forum noted the importance of renewing forest resources with trees, which are adaptable to climate change and highly efficient, ensuring realization of State policy on forests.
“ - Using trees for fuel means burning national wealth into ashes. Therefore, we are discussing how to make trees more valuable instead of using a huge amount of trees just for fuel and how to support local people with forest income. The state policy on forests is based on sustainable forest management, which is accepted internationally. As Mongolia has a vast territory and small population, we are realizing this management using a model of collaborative involvement. A total of 1281 forest cooperatives, over 40 forest units and some 800 professional institutions are operating within the framework” said M.Tungalag, Director of the Department of Forest Policy and Coordination of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
During the forum, the best scientific works by students of forest science and forest engineering were announced and an exhibition was held to introduce the activities in the forest sector conducted by international projects, programs and private companies.
