Romania has a low level of afforestation, of only 29 percent, compared to the European Union Member States’ average of 40 percent, according to a study recently presented by Romanian academician Victor Giurgiu, quoted by local Agerpres.

Moreover, the study reveals that the afforestation rate of the Romanian territory is low also when compared to other European countries with similar natural conditions, such as Slovenia - with 62 percent of forest area, Austria - 47 percent and Slovakia - 41 percent.

“We are dealing with an excessive fragmentation of the forest property, currently being almost 900,000 owners, as a result of the irrational reconstitution of the property right, and this process currently continues, Romania becoming now one of the EU countries with the most small forest properties per thousand inhabitants,” said Giurgiu, quoted by Agerpres.

He also pointed out that there is very little concern for afforestation of degraded lands, for achieving the national system of protective forest belts, and for promoting green technologies for wood exploitation.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

Photo: Forests in the historical region of Transylvania, central Romania, by Paul Sinka