Domestic specialists are actively working to modernise the Forest Code of Turkmenistan that will set the priorities of scientific and practical forestry activities and the principles of studying the condition, replenishing natural forest types and caring for specially planted perennial groves and young forests for years to come. The current state of natural and agricultural systems, the requirements for forest reproduction at a new stage of state economic relations, the international commitments adopted since the Code was in force, climate and weather change affecting forestry, a number of legal aspects related to amendments to synergistic legislative acts necessitated revising several provisions and adjusting the document. The work was carried out in various formats: meetings, consultations, exchange of views, meetings of domestic lawyers and experts. In recent weeks, the draft document has been presented, and comments and recommendations provided during recent discussions were reviewed. A forestry specialist, a member of the development team Akmurad ATAMURADOV told in an interview:
“The updated document will have a significant impact on reforestation in the country, the protection of natural areas and the creation of manmade forest gardens. Our task is to bring the document in line with modern realities and the international commitments of Turkmenistan to protect the environment and to respond and combat climate change and its impact, since afforestation and tree planting are the most natural, eco-friendly protective and restorative measures for humans, nature, landscapes and agrobiodiversity to safeguard and replenish natural resources that we inherited from our ancestors and must pass on to our descendants. Several years ago, an inventory of natural and manmade forests was conducted, and the registration of high-mountain sparse forest areas, groves with old-growth trees, large clusters of rare woody plant species within forest parks, natural monuments and state nature reserves was performed. The forest fund also includes artificial plantings. At present, according to the latest data, manmade forest gardens, comprising over 161 million trees of different age, occupy over 225,334 hectares.
