Today is Forest Workers' Day. It is they who introduce advanced technologies to make the green resource work at maximum efficiency.

Forests cover 40.5% of the country's territory, and each year that figure rises thanks to new high‑quality plantings. Over 60% of the forests are coniferous. The average age of trees is 58 years.

By the way, the most forested district – Rosson – has more than 72% of its territory covered by trees. Belarus ranks among Europe's leaders in forest resource stocks. The task of humanity is to preserve and maintain these riches in order. Summer hurricanes cause significant damage. Therefore, sanitary and health‑improving measures are regularly carried out in Belarusian forests. A new forest must grow in the place of every sanitary cut – that is the President's requirement.

Over the past five years, Belarus has created almost 200,000 hectares of new plantings. The plan for this year is another 23,000 hectares. The export potential is great. More than a million cubic meters of lumber are shipped to foreign markets.