Ministry of Forestry

Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus

4 February 2012 16:53

RECREATION AND HUNTING IN THE LODGES OF THE MINISTRY OF FORESTRY

The area of hunting lands in the Republic is 16.7 million ha. 257 hunting farms are registered.
Traditionally there are organized in Belarus spring, summer and autumn hunting for game-bird, for hoofed animals, autumn and winter hunting for fur game. There is permitted hunting for 53 species of wild animals, including 22 species of mammals and 31 species of birds.
In the system of the Ministry of Forestry there function 78 forest hunting farms on the total area of 3.4 million ha.

The hunting management in republic is realized within the framework of the Governmental Development Program of hunting management for 2006-2015.
At the moment in the forest enterprises there are 74 comfortable hunting lodges to receive hunters. Activities on development of hunting farms infrastructure enabled significant increase of the income from the foreign hunting tourism.

Offers of the hunting farms in regions (see below):

	Brest
	Vitebsk
	Gomel
	Grodno
	Minsk
	Mogiliov

The main travel agency of the Ministry of Forestry is the Republic Unitary Enterprise "Belgosohota"
Priamaya str., 22
220089, Minsk
Tel./Fax (017) 213-17-52, 226-20-09

Belarusian forests as a tourist object

Belarusian forests are not only national patrimony, but also its pride and adornment. Total area of forest resources (included forest bogs, ways, waters and other) is more than 9 million ha or 44,5% of the territory of republic. Nearby 8 million ha are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Forestry.

Forests are the basis of the unique natural landscapes of Belarus. The area of forest resources, occupied with waters, is 72 ths ha. It is the land of more than 10 thousands lakes with clear water. Many rivers spring from lakes. In forests are found vivifying springs with healing power. Natural vegetation (forests, bushes, meadows, bogs) takes nearby 67% of the territory of Belarus. In our country in the center of Europe there are unique undrained bogs. They take nearby 6% of forest resources of the Republic and are of interest as objects for ecological tourism, hunting and berrying.

In forests are growing nearby 12 thousands plant and mushroom species. Birds are presented mostly with forest and water species. The most part of them (227 species) nest on the territory of the republic. There are mammals of 6 classes (77 species), among them 4 acclimatized species such as raccoon dog, common raccoon, American mink and musk-rat. In forests of Belarus live bison, brown-bear, lynx, golden eagle, black stork, aquatic warbler and many other rare and endangered species. The most mammals live in forest, only a little part of them prefers living near water or in free space.

Rare and endangered wild plant and animal species were entered in The Red Book.

Strategic plan for development of forestry in the Republic of Belarus till 2015 foresees investments in the improvement of infrastructure and accomplishment of forests. In the framework of these activities recreation zones are created near water, along roads and in forests. Many hunting enterprises have built lodges and created all condition for good rest and hunt.

In spite of hunting tourism, in our forests there exist wide possibilities for such kinds of eco-tourism as hiking, cycling, riding, skiing and boating. The program of eco-tour can include visiting regional museums, historical places, observation and study of wild nature, hunting with a camera gun, picking berries, mushrooms and medicinal herbs.

Due to their beauty and virginity the forests in Belarus are the attractive recreation place for people. Recreational forest utilization gets to the most important firstly in social respect kind of forestry activity.
The Ministry of Forestry takes part in the realization of the National Program of Tourism Development in the Republic of Belarus.
The number of activities to develop the ecotourism grows every year. It enjoys wide popularity. Many forestries have the tourism targets: open-air cages with wild animals, eco-routes, nature museums, recreational areas near water and along highways.
For environmental education of the population the forest enterprises broaden the arboreta net. 50 such objects with the total area more than 135 ha will be created till the end of 2011.