MINSK, 19 August (BelTA) – It was the biggest storm ever in Belarus and it damaged more than 44,000 hectares of forests, Belarusian First Deputy Forestry Minister Aleksandr Dragun said on the air of the ONT TV channel, BelTA has learned.
“It was the biggest storm ever recorded in Belarus. According to preliminary estimates, the storm damaged more than 44,000 hectares of forests, or more than 6 million cubic meters. Over 20,000 hectares have been cut in salvage logging, or 5 million cubic meters. It is yet to be assessed how much time, effort and money we will have to invest to restore forests. If we assess the damage to nature, it will be enormous”, Aleksandr Dragun said.
"All downed trees will be processed and timber salvaged. It has already been decided to suspend logging activities in the forests unaffected by the storm and focus on timber production from fallen trees. We sell timber on the commodity exchange. We have contracts for 4.5 million cubic meters, and these contracts will be fulfilled with the timber salvaged from storm-damaged trees. Previously, we have received applications from local authorities for 20,000 cubic meters of lumber. The timber from windfalls will go to various organizations and local households," Aleksandr Dragun added.
“It was the biggest storm ever recorded in Belarus. According to preliminary estimates, the storm damaged more than 44,000 hectares of forests, or more than 6 million cubic meters. Over 20,000 hectares have been cut in salvage logging, or 5 million cubic meters. It is yet to be assessed how much time, effort and money we will have to invest to restore forests. If we assess the damage to nature, it will be enormous”, Aleksandr Dragun said.
"All downed trees will be processed and timber salvaged. It has already been decided to suspend logging activities in the forests unaffected by the storm and focus on timber production from fallen trees. We sell timber on the commodity exchange. We have contracts for 4.5 million cubic meters, and these contracts will be fulfilled with the timber salvaged from storm-damaged trees. Previously, we have received applications from local authorities for 20,000 cubic meters of lumber. The timber from windfalls will go to various organizations and local households," Aleksandr Dragun added.
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