Analysis of needs and possibilities of FSC certification of private forests in the Republic of Srpska

Abstract

Private forests in the Republic of Srpska cover an area of 281 965 ha, taking around 450 000 lots with approximately 300 000 owners. It is estimated that the land in private ownership is greater than the above mentioned 300 000 ha, due to constant migration of rural population and converting agricultural land into forests. Compared to the state-owned forests, the private ones spread over a smaller area, have a less favorable structure and lower supply of timber, but still are a very important component, especially for sustainability, rural areas development and environmental components protection, especially near urban areas. In accordance with the fact that the draft national FSC standard for sustainable management and certification of forests in Bosnia and Herzegovina is adopted and used in practice, a part of the private forests owners has voluntarily expressed interest and need for FSC certification of forest properties, via Association of private forest owners „Naša šuma“, which appears as an applicant for certification under the requirements of FSC standards. Prior to final start and implementation of certification procedure and issuance of a written document (group FSC certificate), which will confirm that private forests in the Republic of Srpska are managed in accordance with the principles of their permanent sustainability, intensive measures related to the activities defined in this paper must be taken by private forest owners and associations which integrate them.