Understanding the Potentials for Forest Biodiversity Conservation in the Region

The part of the activities of the Nature Conservation Programme referring to biodiversity conservation in forest areas included a visit to the region by Professor Urs Muehlethaler from the Bern University of Applied Sciences. The purpose of the visit was to get familiar with the current state, challenges and possibilities for forest biodiversity conservation in the East Planning Region that will serve as basis for specific activities in the upcoming period, as well as to provide guidelines for increased presence of biodiversity- and nature conservation-related topics on the Faculty of Forestry in Skopje.  Representatives of the Project Coordination Team of the Nature Conservation Programme in Macedonia together with Professor Urs Muehlethaler had working meetings with representatives of the relevant institutions in this field: the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy – Sector for Forestry and Hunting, the Faculty of Forestry in Skopje, as well as representatives of the CNVP foundation and the National Association of Private Forest Owners. A visit was also paid to the subsidiaries of the Public Enterprise “Makedonski shumi” [the Forestry Authority] in Shtip, Kochani, Vinica, Berovo, Pehchevo and Delchevo. During his visit, Professor Urs Muehlethaler had the opportunity of getting first hand glimpse of the potentials that were discussed on the meetings.