Over 1800 Decares of Forests to Be Planted in Southwestern Bulgaria

Over 1.3 million saplings will be planted on a territory of over 1800 decares on the territory of the Bulgarian Southwestern State Enterprise, according to a media statement of the entity.

The number of saplings has increased by 1/3 compared to 2013 and by 40% compared to 2012.

In 2014, the priority task will be to create new forests on territories damaged by fire or other natural disasters.

Due to the warm weather, the afforestation campaign has already been launched, with over 1600 decares of land to be afforestated in spring.

Intensive afforestation activities are to take place in the regions of the state game-keeping holding Osogovo – Kyustendil, and the state forestry holdings in Dupnitsa, Radomir, Eleshnitsa, Mesta, Blagoevgrad, Sofia, Etropole, and Pirdop.

In 2014, the activities of the managing team of Bulgaria's Southwestern State Enterprise are mainly aimed at achieving a swift restoration of forest areas damaged by fire or other natural disasters.

34% of the planned afforestation works are on territories cleared after a fire and 26% of the activities are to be conducted on territories cleared as a result of the mandatory sanitation cutting.

The swift restoration of these territories is expected to create jobs in small rural areas with high unemployment apart from the positive environmental impact.

A total of 1.3 million saplings have been provided for reforestation, including 700 000 coniferous saplings – mainly Scots pine and European Black Pine. Of the broadleaves, priority has been given to local species such as sessile oak, Turkey oak, linden, birch, maple, and ash, which are well-adapted to specific conditions and are resistant to fire and natural...