The Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF) and the state forestry enterprises will prepare a plan for the restoration of the forest territories burned in 2024 by the end of October, the press center of the ministry announced. This became clear during a meeting of Dr. Eng. Miroslav Marinov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food with the directors of the six state enterprises and the Regional Forestry Directorates in the country, which was held at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 500 forest fires have occurred, and on 10% of the affected area, the tree vegetation has been completely destroyed by peak fires, and the remaining nearly 90% are grassroots, said Deputy Minister Miroslav Marinov.
Afforestation is a priority of the Ministry and state enterprises, Eng. Marinov also stated at the meeting. The directors of the enterprises informed that the survey of all 170 thousand decares of burned forest territories continues. This will allow the preparation of an analysis of the affected areas and taking specific steps for their recovery. The territories will be constantly monitored by forestry experts to prevent the development of insect pests and phytopathogens.
All activities such as soil preparation, selection of tree species and provision of the necessary planting material for afforestation - seeds and saplings, afforestation and cultivation schemes will be listed in the restoration plan-program. State enterprises will prioritize the restoration of burned areas near populated areas and eroded terrain.
During the meeting, the supply of firewood to the population before the start of the heating season was also discussed. The data of the state enterprises indicate that the sale prices of firewood are lower than last year - by up to 17 percent.
The Forestry Executive Agency, through its regional structures in the country, will carry out inspections of the permanent water courses passing through the forest territories for the presence of wood accumulation, it was already decided at the meeting.
Over BGN 250,000 have been paid under the de minimis program to farmers in the country who suffered from the summer fires. This was announced a few days ago by the Acting Minister of Agriculture and Food, Dr. Georgi Tahov, in the Svilengrad village of Ravna Gora, which is one of those affected by the fires.