How much does the forestry sector of Uzbekistan contribute
to the
sustainable development of the economy?
You can find the answer to this question by reading the recently published
UNECE/FAO discussion paper “Forest and Forest Products Country Profile:
Uzbekistan” (ECE/TIM/DP/45).
The primary role of forests in Uzbekistan is to protect agricultural lands,
populated areas and soil of surrounding territories from water and wind erosion,
to prevent mudflows, and to stabilize sands of deserted areas. At the same
time, the country’s forests are the source of some low-quality timber
(also used for energy purposes), as well as of non-wood products such as nuts,
fruits, medical plants and fodder.
Forest areas constitute some 8 percent of the land and are unevenly distributed
over the territory of the country. The forest ecosystems of Uzbekistan are
extremely fragile and sensitive to human intervention. The area under forests
has considerably declined during the last century, but the process is currently
being stabilized.
The forest and forest products sector of Uzbekistan like that of most of
the countries of Central Asia has undergone considerable transformations during
recent years. The transition to a market economy demands deep reform of forest
management, so that it would be sound not only economically, but also socially
and ecologically.
A shortage of funds for foresters and poor equipment of forestry enterprises
has led to significant losses of wood through illegal logging. The current
transitional economic and socio-political developments in Uzbekistan might
create the opportunity to develop a forest legislation, supporting new systems
of sustainable forest management, new policies and approaches regarding the
use of forest resources.
For more information, contact:
Mr. Kit Prins
Chief, Timber Section
UN Economic Commission for Europe/ Food and Agriculture Organization
UNECE Trade and Timber Division
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Phone: + 41 (0) 22 917 2874
Fax: + 41 (0) 22 917 0041
E-mail: [email protected]
or
visit the UNECE/FAO website at http://www.unece.org/trade/timber/
Ref: ECE/TIM/07/P02