Looking back at fifteen years of forestry sector support in Kyrgyzstan

The forest governance system of Kyrgyzstan is now well equipped - in terms of human capacities, resources, and an approriate legislative framework - to ensure the conservation and sustainable multifunctional use of the country's forests. The dynamics of the institutional development also demonstrated that a project such as KIRFOR can supporrt, but not steer, such changes. The destiny of the national institutions is in the hand of national politicians and actors.

• The governance of forest resources has been anchored in the country's legal framework.
• A holistic policy framework has been established and endorsed by the national authorities in the form of a 25 year Concept for Forestry Sector Development, a 10 year National Forestry Programme, and a 5 year National Action Plan for forest sector development (2006 – 2010)
• An improved legal framework based on the 1999 Forest Code and related legal documents gives a strong legal basis for participatory forestry activities, setting out the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders in forest development
• 85 % of the field forestry units have a new forest management plan, thanks to a well equipped and functional planning unit.
• Collaborative forest management activities are well anchored in the walnut fruit forest area and a joint approach for sustainable natural resource management has commenced in 6 pilot areas.
• Private entrepreneurs’ skills have been strengthened in timber and NTFP processing, nursery establishment, felling and skidding and other related topics.                               
  
• Public awareness about sustainable forest management has markedly increased, particularly at the local level.
• Forest sector development has become more participatory, with new stakeholders being involved and empowered in the process.  
  

All the materials produced by the programme can be accessed on the KIRFOR website. The documents are available partly in English and in Russian versions.