Ashgabat, July 24 - Arzuw.news. Turkmenistan is developing a new National Forest Program to replace the current one, which expires this year. Arzuw.news reports with reference to "Business Turkmenistan".
The updated program envisages large-scale reforestation of the Karakum desert areas, strengthening of tugai forests to preserve the population of red deer, as well as creation of green areas along river banks, highways and in foothill zones.
Special emphasis in the new program is placed on the protection of rare plant species included in the Red Book of Turkmenistan 2024 and their reproduction in reserves and specialized nurseries.
The key innovation will be the introduction of digital technologies in forestry. It is planned to use remote sensing of the Earth, digitalization of the forest cadastre and registry, creation of systems for early detection of forest fires and pests.
The program also provides support for private horticulture, including the development of vineyards, fruit plantations, medicinal plant collection, honey production and nut crops.
Economic mechanisms are envisaged for project implementation: long-term land lease for ecotourism and agro-projects, attraction of investments and creation of new jobs.
In the period from 1998 to 2024, 227 thousand hectares of land were greened and more than 162 million trees were planted in the country. According to the land fund data, mountain forests occupy 524 thousand hectares, desert forests - 9.36 million hectares, riparian forests - 38 thousand hectares.
The first National Forest Program ran from 2013 to 2020, after which it was extended to 2024.
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