Over 38,000 volunteers took part in the republican "Clean Forest" campaign, as reported to BELTA by the press service of the Ministry of Forestry.
Over 38,000 volunteers took part in the republican "Clean Forest" campaign, as reported to BELTA by the press service of the Ministry of Forestry.
From early morning, volunteers worked in all regions of Belarus. Representatives of ministries and work collectives, including heads of the Presidential Administration, the State Control Committee, the Investigative Committee, and the State Customs Committee, joined the traditional campaign, which was held in the country for the eighth time. Work was carried out at 2,137 sites, with over 7.5 thousand cubic meters of waste removed, and forest crops planted on an additional 984.6 hectares (approximately 1.3 million seedlings). Throughout the day, volunteers tidied up recreation areas and prepared dendrological parks for winter.
The main goal of the voluntary campaign is to draw attention to the need for careful treatment of the country's main natural resource – the forest. Anyone could become a participant. To do so, it was sufficient to contact a forestry unit and express a desire to help tidy up the forest. Organizations of the Ministry of Forestry provided all participants with the necessary equipment.
The "Clean Forest" campaign was first held in 2010. The event is actively supported by local executive authorities, state, public, and commercial organizations, schools, higher education institutions, and other institutions in the country. This year, the campaign is dedicated to the Year of Small Motherland. A special emphasis was placed on cleaning the forest fund near memorial complexes and significant sites.
This year, the Ministry of Forestry offered participation in a photo contest for the first time. To enter, volunteers had to take photos during the cleanup and post them on social networks (Facebook, VKontakte, Instagram, Twitter) with the hashtag #Чыстылес2018. The organizers will select the most striking and creative photos, the authors of which will receive commemorative souvenirs – branded products from the Ministry of Forestry. Video entries will also be considered.
Last year, 35,000 volunteers participated in the republican "Clean Forest" campaign.