The Trans-Baikal Territory authorities will revive the almost completely burnt-out federal reserve “Tsasucheysky Bor” (pine wood), as reported to EcoTourism Expert by the Acting Vice-President of the Trans-Baikal Territory, Andrey Gurulev.
He said that in some places of the Ononsky District, where the reserve is located, tree seeds are self-sowing. But in other places where multiple fires took place there is still nothing growing.
“There trees are only be planted, said Gurulev.
If we don’t plant trees there, the area will become deserted. Thus, it will lead to the drying out of water areas.’’
Gurulev reminded that a similar thing happened in the Dauria reserve of the Trans-Baikal Territory, where the Zun-Torey, Barun-Torey lakes have already dried up.
Gurulev also said that we need to carefully address the reforestation of the area, as in the case of self-sowing the places may be covered with aspens and birches instead of pines. It is important to make sure that the very same trees appear where they used to be.
However, there are not enough trees to be planted. Therefore, additional tree nurseries will be created in the region.
Gurulev also said that the draft of the Trans-Baikal Territory law on fire safety has been launched.
The objective aims at plowing, basic firefighting equipment, and applying flame resistant material to wooden structures.
Taking into account the peculiarities of the Trans-Baikal Territory, it is necessary to institutionalise how to maintain a private house, shepherd camps, an agricultural farm and any structure that is located in the steppe or in the forest should be maintained.
According to the official, a vital point is manure management, which is very combustible.
“It burns so that there is nothing that can help put it out, unless you put sand on it. Moreover, when it burns out, it has the ability to fly and set fire to everything that may burn,” he said. In particular, the shepherd camps are burning, because burning manure that flies enters the hay, and everything catches fire from the hay. The fires also arise in untilled fields.
According to Gurulev, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of Russia is conducting a complete audit of the existing Forestry Code.
“We see that the former Soviet system was good. The forests didn’t burn like that,” he added.