This policy establishes a framework for sustainable forest management in Armenia, which balances environmental, economic, and social interests based on international principles. It addresses degradation from anthropogenic and natural impacts and aligns the forest sector with national environmental, rural development, and agricultural policies. The objective is to restore degraded ecosystems and ensure sustainable use of forest properties through long-term management plans and international certification indicators. Institutional reforms separate management from control functions, designating the Ministry of Agriculture to conduct forest guarding and use, and the Ministry of Nature Protection to perform control. A central action is to develop a new Forest Code to replace 1994 legislation and recognize diverse ownership forms. The policy promotes a market economy based on transparent competition, fair timber sales, and community-based user units, while focusing on non-wood forest products and resource insurance. To conserve biodiversity, the strategy mandates rehabilitation of degraded areas, increased productivity, and biodiversity monitoring. It aims to expand forested areas via afforestation and promote ecotourism, while addressing human resource development through academic forestry chairs and specialist training.
Армения · 2004-09-30