Sustainable forest management in Moldova
12. 12. 2024
By signing the co-financing agreement, Slovenia has supported the implementation of the development project "Sustainable Forest Management in the Republic of Moldova using the iForest Digital Tool".
Moldova has a relatively low proportion of forested land compared to other European countries, with a forest cover of only 11.6%. Deforestation is mainly caused by extensive agricultural activities and urbanisation, while forest conditions are further degraded by inadequate management and climate change. To address these issues, Moldova has adopted the National Forest Extension and Rehabilitation Programme (NFERP) for the period 2023-2032. The main objective of the programme is to increase the country's forest cover by 4.5% over the next decade. The programme aims to increase the country's resilience to climate change through the development of national forest resources, sustainable management practices, improved forest governance and public awareness of the importance of preserving forests for future generations.
The project will develop a digital tool called iForest. It integrates processes such as identification, registration, planning, technological mapping and monitoring of reforested areas. The purpose of the database is to provide a detailed overview of each process, activity, service and stakeholder directly involved in the NFERP, including factors such as erosion levels, soil chemistry, forest species, climate and hydrological conditions, contractual relationships between landowners, ecosystem resilience, work planning, activities in forest nurseries based on multi-year reforestation programmes, mechanisation levels for specific areas and different types of maps. In addition to data entry, training and support for the use of the digital tool is planned for forest engineers, managers, local government staff, and legal and private entities. The project also includes the reforestation of 150 hectares of degraded land, fully funded by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning. A Forest Generation Festival will be organised to raise public awareness about climate change and the importance of forests.
The project aims to use modern technologies and reforestation efforts to contribute to the effective use of the economic potential of forests and adaptation to climate change. The development of a digital tool for monitoring land characteristics and reforestation will enable data collection and analysis, providing a better understanding of the environment and facilitating the planning of more effective strategies for sustainable land and forest management. The project has a significant impact on the local community by ensuring transparency and communication with NFERP stakeholders through the digital tool. The reforestation of degraded land contributes to the sustainable development of the region, as well as to the protection of the environment and biodiversity.
In the long term, the project will significantly improve the quality of life of the local population.
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