An Interdepartmental Council on Forestry is being created in the Omsk region

Representatives of the government, supervisory authorities and public organizations discussed the issues of effective use of forest resources in the region.

On October 26, at a round table meeting in the Main Forestry Department of the Omsk region, under the leadership of Deputy Chairman of the regional Government Tatyana Vizhevitova, a detailed analysis of the existing forest management practices in the Omsk Irtysh region was conducted. According to GULH experts, over the past 20 years, the size of logging operations for pine has halved, for birch – 5 times, and for aspen - 7 times. Previously, only the Northern Forestry Enterprise (one of the seven operating in the 80s of the twentieth century) harvested 2 million cubic meters per year, but now such a volume is not being developed throughout the region. Sanitary logging must be carried out regularly, otherwise the number of old and diseased trees and dying stands increases, which leads to the spread of pests, fires and littering of territories. Omsk forests also often freeze up and rot on the vine, and meanwhile the region is forced to buy "business" wood and lumber from its neighbors.

The lease relations stipulated by the forest legislation do not save the situation. To date, 77 contracts have been concluded with forest users for the lease of forest plots. In total, there are about 250 lease agreements in the region for all types of use of green areas with a total area of 311 hectares, which is one of the lowest rates in the Siberian Federal District. In addition, tenants do not always meet the conditions for the effective use of land and restoration of forests, simply because they often do not have the professional skills for this. The Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Omsk region instructed to compile a register of unscrupulous tenants. It is worth noting that more than 30 contracts have already been terminated with such companies.

The state of the green areas is monitored by forest inspectors, whose number has decreased from 1.5 thousand to 137 people in the Omsk region since the adoption of the new Forest Code in 2006. There are 44 thousand hectares of forest fund lands per specialist. In addition to their supervisory activities, foresters are engaged in allotment of plots for the needs of the population, conclude contracts with tenants, monitor the performance of forestry work, and participate in raids to curb illegal logging. Targeted surveillance activities have reduced the number of violations of Forest legislation by 17% over the past three years, and the volume of illegally harvested timber by exactly half, but it's too early to calm down. 

To solve the identified problems in forestry, it is necessary to coordinate the efforts of authorities, the public, law enforcement and supervisory services. Acting Governor of the Omsk region Alexander Burkov instructed to develop a comprehensive program to identify illegal logging and combat crimes in the forest fund. The head of the region has already discussed with the "security forces" the tasks of "removing black lumberjacks from the shadow," and during a trip to the Tarsky district instructed local leaders to correct the situation.

"An interdepartmental Forestry Council is being created in the Omsk region, and regulations are being developed for interaction between all participants to prevent offenses and curb illegal logging and trafficking in timber. A comprehensive action plan will be adopted in the near future, and work on the formation of a timber cluster will resume. It is necessary to involve the investigative committee, concerned residents and community groups in the protection and restoration of Omsk forests. We need to do everything possible to work together to preserve and effectively use our green wealth," said Tatiana Vizhevitova.