The Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kemal Hrnjić, said today in Bihać that the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina suffered damages exceeding one billion BAM due to the absence of a law on forests.
During his visit to the Una-Sana Canton, on the occasion of March 21, the World Day of Forests, Hrnjić pointed out that on that day it is especially important to draw the public’s attention to how important it is for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to obtain the Law on Forests, which has not existed for more than 14 years.
He stated that the money that was lost in that period should have been invested in companies responsible for managing forests, because they do not have their own funds for investments in modern equipment.
“Today, we simply cannot follow contemporary world trends when it comes to this area,” Hrnjić said, adding that it is being decided what will be left to future generations.
Hrnjić appealed to all relevant factors in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to make efforts to have the law on forests adopted this year, especially for the sake of future generations.
Haris Koljić, director of the ŠPD “Unsko-Sanska šume” said that the new law would improve the performance of forest companies in forest management and enable larger investments and a greater volume of afforestation.
Director of JP National Park “Una” Amarildo Mulić pointed out the importance of connecting all levels of government for the preservation of forests, as one of our most important resources that should be managed responsibly.
As part of the celebration of the World Day of Forests, an afforestation campaign was organized at the Lipe site in Bihać, as well as a visit to the Una National Park.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry prepared and on February 20 of this year put the law on forests in the Federation of BiH for public discussion, and invited all interested parties to submit their remarks, proposals and suggestions on the text of the Law on Forests in the FBiH by March 20.
“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry is today bringing to a close the public debate on the proposed text of the Law on Forests in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Law on Reproductive Material of Forest and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. We have received a significant number of proposals, suggestions and comments. Representatives of the Ministry will as soon as possible to process the aforementioned proposals by the deadline, all with the aim of implementing the necessary procedures as soon as possible and initiating the adoption of the law on forests in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and thereby protecting our natural wealth,” said Hrnjić, Fena news agency reports.
