Tatarstan President: “We have to develop wood processing industry”

On January 17 at a summary session of Tatarstan Ministry of Forestry Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that special emphasis should be put on wood processing industry.

Head of Forestry Department in Volga Federal District Aleksandr Ornatsky, members of Tatarstan Government, employees of Tatarstan forestry industry took part in the session.

Before the session Rustam Minnikhanov and Director General of OOO “Kastamonu integrated wood industry” Onur Guven discussed construction of wood processing plant at SEZ “Alabuga”.

Minister of Forestry Nail Magdeev made a keynote report on results of ministry’s work. Total forest area in the region makes 1,271 mln hectares.

There are 163 natural conservation areas, including 26 state nature reserves and 137 natural landmarks. Nail Magdeev stated with satisfaction that due to implemented measures no forest fires occurred in the republic. At the same time, drying out of forest vegetation is an urgent problem.
According to the minister, Tatarstan requires 170 thousand hectares of protective forest plantation.

Tatarstan Ministry of Forestry created 125 improved green stops in 2013. Nail Magdeev also told about results of work on restoration of wooden architecture in Kazan.

Head of Forestry Department in Volga Federal District Aleksandr Ornatsky made report at the session. He told about condition of forests in Volga Federal District and federal projects implemented in the industry. On behalf of Federal Forestry Agency Nail Magdeev thanked Tatarstan leadership for active work on forest preservation.

Summing up, Rustam Minnikhanov noted considerable contribution of employees of Tatarstan forestry industry and called for expanding their experience.

Rustam Minnikhanov continued that arboretums are required for efficient forest restoration. He believes that modern seed-growing centre in Sabinsky region that produces 12 mln nursery plants every year is the best in Russia.

Tatarstan President also called for preventing illegal deforestation.