Forests are more than just a resource: How Belarus protects its vital ecosystem

In front of International Day of Forestsobserved on March 21, the deputy resident of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Belarus said Armen Martirosyan UN News about the threats facing this critical ecosystem and efforts to protect it.

According to him, forests are not just natural resources, but are complex ecosystems that can regulate themselves. The importance of this transcends national borders.

“Forests absorb and store carbon, playing an important role in mitigating climate change. Forests regulate water systems, protect soil from erosion and improve air quality,” said Martirosyan.

Ecosystem and economy

Today, forests cover almost 10 million hectares in Belarus. The area has increased by one million hectares over the past 30 years, according to the UNDP. Forest area now reaches one hectare per capita, double the global average.

Forest ecosystems play an important role in conserving biodiversity, providing habitat for thousands of plant and animal species. Their economic contribution is equally large, employing around 40,000 people in the forestry sector, and wood products accounting for 8.4 percent of exports. Non-timber forest products, such as berries, mushrooms and medicinal plants, are also important.

Forests also provide important spaces for recreation and tourism, creating new opportunities for small businesses and jobs in the region.

“Ecotourism is a priority in Belarus,” said Martirosyan. “Forests offer opportunities for local communities to create jobs, develop small businesses and design environmentally friendly educational pathways for residents and visitors.”

Emerging threats

However, forest ecosystems face increasing threats, especially related to the impacts of climate change.

One of the most serious challenges is forest fires. Martirosyan emphasized that this is directly related to rising temperatures, shorter frost periods, changes in rainfall patterns and intensity, as well as the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. According to experts, since the start of the 2025 fire season, more than 700 fires have been recorded in Belarus, affecting more than 1,200 hectares of forest, almost double compared to the previous year.

Coniferous forests, which predominate in Belarus, are particularly vulnerable because fires can cause severe damage to biodiversity and destroy entire ecosystems, he warned.

“Forest pests are another serious challenge,” he said, pointing to the increase in the number of insects such as bark beetles and sawflies in recent years, which is also linked to climate warming and decreasing resilience of forest ecosystems.

Forest fires in Belarus.

UNDP support

Working closely with the Ministry of Forests of Belarus for many years, UNDP helped introduce a modern approach to forest management and the UN agency’s experts have developed recommendations for updating legislation in this area.

By 2025, proposals are being prepared regarding the use of digital technology and innovative methods for forest inventory, protection and conservation as well as more effective fire management. In February 2026, with UN support, a national strategy and action plan for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity was adopted in Belarus.

A new project was launched last year to strengthen preparedness in fire prevention and response. This is the first project implemented by UNDP in Belarus with financial support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China under the South-South cooperation framework. Another project focuses on the development of ecotourism and is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources with support from the Russian Federation.

“Ecotourism creates new sources of income for local communities while supporting protected areas,” explained the UNDP representative, adding that the project helps develop ecotourism infrastructure, creates new routes and services, and trains specialists working in Belarus’ nature reserves.

“Forests are living organisms, he said. “Forests must be treated not just as a resource, but as part of our shared reality, on which our future depends.”

Firefighting personnel and equipment were inspected in preparation for the fire season in Belarus.

Three steps to protect forests

Joint efforts with partners at international, national and local levels help build a systematic approach to forest management, ensuring sustainable yields and preserving forests for future generations, said UNDP’s Martirosyan, stressing that protecting forests requires a focus on three key areas.

• use of innovation and digital technology to monitor forest conditions and detect threats early
• strengthening partnerships between governments, international organizations and local communities
• education and increasing environmental awareness, especially among the younger generation