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GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND WATER MANAGEMENT DIRECTORATE OF FORESTS FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS |
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PROJECT TCP/YUG/2902 INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE NATIONAL FOREST PROGRAMME IN SERBIA |
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Introduction |
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Introduction
Forests have traditionally played a significant role in the economy of the country. They are a rich resource for economic and social development. Their role in conserving soil, water, wildlife and plant genetic wealth and diversity is of vital importance. The multiple role of forests spanning the entire range of environmental conservation and rational utilisation of forest products are crucial for human welfare. They influence, and are influenced by, development issues such as creation of employment, generation of income, alleviation of poverty, provision of energy for domestic and industrial use, supply of essential forest products, and saving and earning foreign exchange. In addition, they influence and are influenced by conservation issues such as the improvement of the environment, maintenance of biodiversity, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Non wood forest products such as game meat, dear horns, pelts, forest seeds, fruits, berries, edible mushrooms, honey, cork, resin, moss for pharmaceutical industries and medicinal plants are also an important source of economic significance, especially in rural areas. Utilisation of non-wood products has declined in the past decade. It needs to be revitalised. Development of non-wood products through integrated sustainable forest management involves fundamental changes in the approach to ecological, silvicultural, socio-economic and trade issues associated with forestry. Non-wood forest products are the basis of the concept of integrated and sustainable management of forest resources. Small-scale enterprises based on non-wood forest products provide off-farm employment and income to rural households. In particular, the wildlife resources of Serbia, coupled with the management of national parks for recreation and tourism, offer considerable potential for commercial utilisation.
Over the past two decades, however, the forest resources of the country have suffered a sharp decline due to, among other factors, the deterioration of the institutional framework and the insufficient capacity of the Directorate of Forests to protect, plan and manage the country’s forest resources. The deterioration has been particularly noticeable in private forest holdings, which make up nearly half of the country’s 2.5 million hectares of forest, for lack of control exercised by the Directorate, other agencies and stakeholders in forest management.
There are about 500 000 private forests owners holding some five million parcels in 7 500 registered municipalities. The average area of forest holdings is less than 0.5 hectare and often as small as 20 – 30 ares. In most cases the holdings are irregular in shape, long and narrow, resulting from the division of holdings among family members. It is difficult to manage such small and fragmented holdings on a sustainable basis. As the sector is completely unorganised it is difficult to provide effective extension servies and training for the owners to enable them to manage their forests wisely, improve their income and livelihoods, and protect the environment for the common good of Serbian society and the world. Unless owners organise themselves into some form of association for joint management and trade, tangible improvements in this area are unlikely to take place.
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