Shklov Dstrict, October 11, 2024 – The Europe Today: Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has officially launched the national campaign “Bringing Forests Back to Life” during his working visit to Shklov District. Organized by the Forestry Ministry, the campaign will run from 12 October to 12 November, focusing on the restoration of forest areas affected by recent natural disasters.
The initiative aims to rehabilitate regions most severely impacted by the storms, particularly Gomel Oblast and Mogilev Oblast, where extensive windblown and fallen trees have damaged large forest areas. Volunteers, including individuals, labor collectives, and university students, are encouraged to participate by registering with local forestry enterprises.
The president’s commitment to the restoration efforts was highlighted during his visit to Mozyr District in August, where he instructed authorities to expedite the processing of damaged trees and provide assistance to affected households. “We should restore all of it next year,” Lukashenko said, emphasizing the need for a coordinated reforestation plan and schedule during the winter.
In Shklov District, the president led by example, planting oak and spruce trees on an area of 0.6 hectares, contributing to a total of 2,000 newly planted trees. The district is notable as the homeland of Lukashenko.
Forestry Minister Aleksandr Kulik reported that, as of 11 October, forest felling has been completed across 19,800 hectares, with over 3.2 million cubic meters of timber harvested. This timber is being utilized by Belarusian woodworking enterprises, with contracts already signed for more than 3.7 million cubic meters by domestic companies.
President Lukashenko reiterated the importance of adhering to deadlines, recalling earlier commitments to clear the windfall areas by the end of the year and to replant forests by next year. However, the ministry acknowledged that some regions, particularly Gomel Oblast, are behind schedule due to an underestimation of the work involved and insufficient manpower.
Despite these setbacks, Lukashenko emphasized the need for swift action and national mobilization if necessary, reiterating his commitment to restoring the country’s damaged forests.
