Sore Spots in the Forest Restoration Management System (the Case of Irkutsk Region)

Forest conservation and restoration are the basis for stable ecological wellbeing and sustainable forestry. The article is dedicated to the issues of enhancement of efficiency of forest restoration in Russia in the case of Irkutsk Region. Sore spots in this area are revealed in terms of a forest restoration analysis. Forest conservation in the region is provided mainly due to the natural processes of forest stand regeneration. The main part of the regional fund for the restoration of forests is comprised of deforestation and burnt forest areas. Efficiency of forest restoration activities is determined not only by the area of artificial or natural (mixed) reforestation but also by the area of forest tending. The global experience shows the need for a switch to a different understanding of allocation of funds and forces when taking an optimal decision in the field of improving the quality of forest restoration. Sustainable forestry is possible only when combining activities of forest restoration and tending. An increase in tending young-growth stand will significantly increase not only its survival capacity but also its quality. Furthermore, the author considers the mechanisms of government control of forest restoration including the national project «Forest Conservation» and the federal law of July 19, 2018 № 212-FL.