In January, a forest moratorium was introduced in Poland, restricting logging in ten key regions, including the Bieszczady Mountains and Trójmiejski Landscape Park. The decision, initially set for six months, was extended to the end of September, covering 94,000 hectares across 28 forest districts. The moratorium aims to protect ecologically valuable areas, but its implications for the forestry sector are significant.
Economic Impact on the Timber Industry
The General Director of State Forests, Witold Koss, revealed that the moratorium results in a reduction of 400,000 to 600,000 cubic meters of timber, leading to an estimated 40 million PLN decrease in turnover for Forest Service Companies. This reduction represents a notable impact on the timber industry, which planned to harvest around 40 million cubic meters of wood this year.
Koss emphasized the need to amend forest and nature protection laws to ensure these ecologically valuable areas are effectively conserved. He also mentioned the potential for creating national parks in these regions, stressing the importance of removing the responsibility from foresters for any accidents that might occur if no management activities are conducted.
Balancing Conservation with Economic Interests
Koss underscored the necessity for dialogue between various stakeholders, including NGOs and the timber industry. While public expectations for forest management are shifting toward conservation, it is essential to recognize that State Forests also play a crucial role in timber production, contributing significantly to the national economy.