Belarus’ forest reserves might expand by 5% within 1.5 years

Belarus’ forest reserves are projected to increase by 5% within 1.5 years, Forestry Minister of Belarus Vitaly Drozhzha told the Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA has learned.

“Forest restoration might be done within three years after the felling. This is the deadline stipulated by law. In reality, everything is done faster. Reforestation should outpace deforestation. There is every reason to believe that we can increase our forest reserves by 5%. I think this will be done within a year and a half,” Vitaly Drozhzha believes.

He added that the president’s instruction to plant trees along highways will be fulfilled in the near future. This will reduce the cost of roadside cleaning.

“In order to minimize the cost of roadside cleaning, the head of state proposed planting forests along roads. This will allow spending less time and money on mowing grass. The Forestry Ministry has the necessary planting material. In spring we will examine roadside areas and do the planting. Of course, for the first few years, we will have to mow grass near young trees. But in 4-5 years, we will no longer need this,” the forestry minister said.