Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 9 / Trend , J.Babayeva/
In Azerbaijan, a decision has been made that 64,000 cubic meters of firewood will be prepared for the winter period.
"The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has the task of putting this decision into operation," the Chief Consultant of the Cabinet of Minister's Agrarian Industry Department, Zemfira Sairbayzade, told Trend .
During last year's winter, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) provided schools, hospitals and military units with 47,000 cubic meters of firewood by using dry, underdeveloped, or diseased waste wood.
"Although the country's heating means does not include firewood, the Ministry, being realistic, is taking such steps," the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Huseyngulu Bagirov, said to journalists last year from forests.
Over the past eight years, the area of protected natural land has increased from five to nine percent. This testifies that in order to protect forests, the area specified to be felled for firewood should be decreased or, at the very least, should not increase year by year.
In fact, alternative sources of energy should be used to reduce the amount of firewood needed.
These issues which have been raised in Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's decree on the "Use of Alternative Energy Sources" must be solved. In regards to this, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is implementing a number of pilot projects in the country. One of such projects is the use of solar panels for apartments.
The installation of the first such device in the Saatli region has yielded its fruits. The project organizers say that the solar panel, which costs 2,500 manat, pays for itself within three years. This equipment is to be installed in homes. Our country can also produce the equipment, which is successfully used in the United States, Europe and some Eastern countries.
Moreover, special technology is currently being installed in order to harness wind energy.
In an interview, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Bagirov, spoke about the importance of alternative energy sources in developing the country's environmental protection.
Sairbayzade said up to 64,000 cubic meters of trees can be cut down this year, depending on the forest conditions.
"Our forests belong to the first category, and therefore felling is prohibited. Only felling diseased trees is not prohibited. If the tree falls down through natural phenomena or other natural causes, it can be used as firewood," said Sairbayzade
In an interview with Trend , the Director of the International Academy of Ecoenergetics, Fagan Aliyev, also said he this it is important to develop alternative energy sources to prevent felling trees for firewood.
"The President ordered agencies on alternative and renewable energy to be organized. Azerbaijan has joined international organizations in this field. Therefore, an excellent foundation to develop alternative energy sources has appeared," said Aliyev.
He said the in any type of forest trees die naturally.
All efforts should be directed at developing alternative energy sources. Our Republic has sources of solar energy, wind energy, small hydro-power stations, biogas and thermal waters. It is necessary to use all natural resources, the expert said.
The Azerbaijani Green Party (AGP) believes that the decision to increase the specified amount of firewood will seriously affect the deforestation situation. "Even if this decision had not been taken, the doubling of gas prices is going to increase the amount of trees being felled," the Chairman of the AGP, Mayis Gulaliyev told Trend .
According Gulaliyev, the felling of diseased trees in forests does not decrease the forests, but makes for healthier forests. The forests, where diseased trees are felled, are not large enough to provide heating for many people.
Gulaliyev thinks that it is impossible to establish public control to ensure the norm of firewood felled is not exceeded.
"Public officials are directly or indirectly dependent on government departments. In fact, it would lead to additional difficulties or even cases of abuse. A trial may provide public oversight. Power is needed to provide oversight, and it is the court which has the power to do this. If the court is inactive, then what will provide public oversight?" Gulaliyev added.
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