SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY- THE SWEDISH MODEL AS AN EXAMPLE
Sustainability of forest simply means “whoever removes the forest has the responsibility of replenishing it”. Anybody who uses the earth’s resources should have this in mind- to find a way of replacing what they take from the earth’s resources for their benefit! We need to ensure sustainable forestry.
In Sweden, half of all forest lands are owned by private individuals; a quarter owned by private companies; and the last quarter owned by the government and the church. The role of the church in forest management is very commendable because more often than not, the church dwells only on the spiritual faculty of people. Adding social services such as management of natural resources may have to be one of the focuses of the church universal. It is refreshing that some churches are already engaged in some of these social services provision. This is a classic case of sustainable forestry.
The challenge for research is to find ways to adapt the woodlands to all requirements- recreation, hunting, fishing, adventure, biodiversity, pure water, renewable energy and raw materials. The forest policy of Sweden is under constant development presumably to meet the changing demands of society. More in the video above !
