The Minister of Environmental Protection, Irena Vujovic, announced today that in the coming days she will sign agreements with 38 local self-governments in Serbia, with which the relevant ministry will co-finance afforestation projects with 100 million dinars.
On the occasion of the International Forest Day, which is being marked today, Vujovic stated that one of the main priorities of the Ministry is the reduction of air pollution and nature conservation, the ministry announced.
According to her, the Ministry announced three competitions, through which it made 3.4 million euros available to cities and municipalities for the replacement of dilapidated boiler rooms, individual fireplaces and afforestation.
The Minister pointed out that the International Forest Day should draw everyone’s attention to the obligation we have as a society towards nature and forest conservation.
She pointed out that forest protection is one of the most important elements of environmental protection, which has three key goals, ie areas that must be preserved and improved – diversity of flora and fauna, landscapes and improving air quality.
– All these three goals can be achieved if forests and nature are used in a sustainable and wise way. Forests are the main factors of the environment and we must do our best to preserve them – said Vujovic.
She reminded that the Assembly of Serbia recently adopted the Law on Climate Change, which will, among other things, contribute to the systemic adaptation to the changed climatic conditions.
According to her, this law will help identify measures that should be taken in order to reduce the impact of climate change and increase resilience, among others, the forestry sector, which will have multiple positive effects on citizens, the economy and the environment.
The initiative to mark the International Forest Day was launched within the General Assembly of the European Agricultural Confederation in 1971. The chosen date is March 21, as the day of the autumn equinox in the southern hemisphere, or spring in the northern hemisphere, eKapija reports.
