Following is an interview with Odontuya Saldan, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. She participated in the training of women working in the forestry sector together with the President of Slovenia.
Forests cover 8% of our country's total area, and we are committed to increasing this to 9%. However, my priority is not just about hitting numbers, it’s about protecting our existing forests. My focus will be on safeguarding trees, combating insect infestations, and preventing forest fires. These efforts are aligned with the Government's action plan, which includes collaboration with the Deputy Prime Minister and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on disaster response.
Our first goal is to protect the existing forests. There are numerous foreign projects within the forestry sector, and I intend to audit these initiatives to assess their effectiveness. In a significant step forward, I have established a Department of Productivity and Innovation within the Ministry for the first time. We will introduce new management techniques, moving away from traditional tree-planting methods.
-Is pest control effective, and has sufficient funding been allocated?
-The previous minister allocated substantial funds for the 2024 budget, and pest control efforts commenced on May 15. Recent photos sent by locals show that these efforts have been successful. Comparing the images from two months ago to now, it’s clear that the condition of the forest has significantly improved.
-You were appointed not long ago. What are the primary challenges you face?
-The environment encompasses many sectors and requires extensive coordination. Climate change is accelerating, leading to an increase in the frequency of natural disasters. Our challenge is how to prepare and adapt to these changes. We must implement a comprehensive program to address these issues. Additionally, human activities have significantly polluted nature.
Transitioning to a green economy is essential if we want to protect our environment.
Following is an interview with Odontuya Saldan, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. She participated in the training of women working in the forestry sector together with the President of Slovenia.
Forests cover 8% of our country's total area, and we are committed to increasing this to 9%. However, my priority is not just about hitting numbers, it’s about protecting our existing forests. My focus will be on safeguarding trees, combating insect infestations, and preventing forest fires. These efforts are aligned with the Government's action plan, which includes collaboration with the Deputy Prime Minister and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on disaster response.
Our first goal is to protect the existing forests. There are numerous foreign projects within the forestry sector, and I intend to audit these initiatives to assess their effectiveness. In a significant step forward, I have established a Department of Productivity and Innovation within the Ministry for the first time. We will introduce new management techniques, moving away from traditional tree-planting methods.
-Is pest control effective, and has sufficient funding been allocated?
-The previous minister allocated substantial funds for the 2024 budget, and pest control efforts commenced on May 15. Recent photos sent by locals show that these efforts have been successful. Comparing the images from two months ago to now, it’s clear that the condition of the forest has significantly improved.
-You were appointed not long ago. What are the primary challenges you face?
-The environment encompasses many sectors and requires extensive coordination. Climate change is accelerating, leading to an increase in the frequency of natural disasters. Our challenge is how to prepare and adapt to these changes. We must implement a comprehensive program to address these issues. Additionally, human activities have significantly polluted nature.
Transitioning to a green economy is essential if we want to protect our environment.