On April 7, we traditionally celebrate Forest Week. This year is more special because we are also celebrating 100 years since the beginning of higher forestry education. Right now is the time to pay well-deserved attention to foresters in our country, because thanks to them, our country has such green wealth, write the Chamber of Commerce of the Woodworking and Furniture Industry. And they add:
Let us recall facts that few know. After the Liberation of Bulgaria, forests occupied less than 30% and were in poor condition. For comparison, today they are nearly 40% of the country's territory. The mass deforestation of Bulgaria began during the Ottoman slavery due to people's economic activities – use of pastures and fellings, as well as the numerous battles between Russia and Turkey from the 14th to the 19th centuries.
In the 20th century, foresters became actively involved and launched large-scale afforestation, building something like a Green Wall of Bulgarian forests. Their undertaking was not easy at all - at first, people did not accept the afforestation unequivocally. Moreover, forest officials were subjected to physical violence, and saplings were massively destroyed. But despite this, foresters succeeded. They also resisted during the planned economy, saving the forests from destruction again in the - 50-60s of the 20th century, when use exceeded growth.
In our time, foresters are again under attack, because they are often accused of cutting down trees indiscriminately and the forests are destroyed. However, this does not correspond to the facts - forest resources are in good condition. Moreover, Bulgaria is among the leading countries in Europe in terms of biodiversity, preserved forests and forest areas. We are the first country in Europe that has managed to place 35% of its national territory under protection and over 12% of its forests under strict protection.