The project “Integrated Approach to Management of Forests in Turkey, with Demonstration in High Conservation Value Forests in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey” concluded at an event where stakeholders reviewed the project outputs. Nominated as one of the most successful projects by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project was implemented jointly by the General Directorate of Forestry and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Turkey.

Implemented over a span of 7 years, the project aimed to promote an integrated approach to management of forests in Turkey, demonstrating multiple environmental benefits in high conservation value forests in the Mediterranean forest region. Accordingly, the forest arrangement plans were prepared and implemented in an integrated manner for 28 Regional Directorates in the Forestry Directorates of Andırın, Pos, Gülnar, Gazipaşa and Köyceğiz designated as piloting areas.

In addition, the project was instrumental in taking significant steps in many areas such as developing an integrated fire management system and software to prevent forest fires, preparing fire management plans at precinct level, procuring necessary equipment, marking trial areas to monitor the impact of new practices on carbon retention, building national level criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management and preparing the implementation guidelines, developing the Forest Management System software through which forward-looking modelling can be generated, mapping out pest insect infestation, preserving biodiversity, integrating eco-tourism and non-wood forest products into arrangement plans.

The closing event was held in Ankara for the project “Integrated Approach to Management of Forests in Turkey, with Demonstration in High Conservation Value Forests in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey” implemented jointly by the General Directorate of Forestry and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Turkey with funding from the Global Environment Facility. The stakeholders presented the project outputs at the event, with opening remarks delivered by Mr. Sukhrob Khojimatov, UNDP Turkey Deputy Resident Representative; and Mr. Mehmet Çelik, Deputy General Director of Forestry. Approximately 200 persons from many institutions and organisations participated in the event where project outputs were presented and shown in videos.

Access the project films at: http://bit.ly/entegreorman.