Forest Protection and Reforestation

The project objective is to develop environmental and economic services through more sustainable use, increased productivity and enhanced conservation of forest and associated rangeland resources, with a focus on in the northeastern pine forest and southern saxaul woodlands. The project would include: (a) a policy, legal, organizational, and information framework that enables improved forest and associated rangeland management; (b) rehabilitation and effective management of damaged Irtysh pine forest in the northeast (Pavlodar and East-Kazakhstan Oblasts) to increase the value of the forest assets by reducing losses due to fire, pests, and unsustainable logging, and by otherwise increasing economic productivity and environmental services; and (c) vegetative plantings and improved management of the woodlands and associated rangelands in the south (Kyzyl-Orda Oblast) to control desertification, reduce wind-blown pollution of salts and dust from the Aral Sea bed, provide shade and fodder for livestock, and increase the value of timber and fuelwood.