[ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n
Paradoxically, the data provided by INSTAT show that the main purpose remains the cutting of trees for firewood. Albanians consume on average up to 2.5 million m3 of wood for heating. Meanwhile, the growth of new forest area does not exceed the figure of 1 million m3 per year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
According to data released by INSTAT in 2014, the average percentage of monthly spending on firewood in Albania is 26% of total energy spending, but this varies and increases according to the coldest and poorest regions. In Shkodra the heating with firewood is 50.1%, in Lezha 40.1%, in Dib\u00ebr, Kor\u00e7\u00eb and Kuk\u00ebs it is respectively 35%, 31% and 30%.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
“The biggest pest of the forest is the use of the forest for housewood. On average, Albania uses 2-2.5 million m3 to be heated, while the growth of our forests is 1 million less m3 per year. This shows the negative balance that we cause in the forests “said Genti Kromidha, Institute for Nature Conservation<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In this situation experts suggest that intervention should be made to stop cutting down trees for firewood and find alternative solutions.<\/p>\n
“Creating agroforestry systems that means planting fast-growing plants that means reducing pressure on this very source,” said Elvin Toromoni, Faculty of Forestry, Agricultural University<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In 2018, former Minister of Environment Blendi Klosi launched the initiative to plant 20 million of 200 thousand trees by 2020. While in a public appearance in December 2018 he stated that during the previous year about 4.5 million new saplings were planted. There is no exact evidence of how much they are actually planted but those who know the problem well are quite skeptical of those who trumpet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
“Afforestation is minimal, ridiculous and tragicomic. Former Minister Klosi promised to plant 20 million forest saplings, but in fact he did not plant even 20 thousand some ridiculous initiatives that have remained on paper and nothing has been done “said Mehmet Meta, environmental expert.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
“I suggest to look at the INSTAT data, how much was the forest area before these campaigns, if you will see it, it seems that there is no change. “We have as many forests as we had,” said the environmental expert, Abdulla Diku.<\/p>\n