Forest Camp
The academic staff of the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences (FLES) – Faruk Bojaxhi and Albana Milaimi; ten regular students of the third year of the program: Forestry and Environmental Sciences (FES) and four graduates of SHPM took part in the Forestry Camp on October 9 to 13, 2023, in Radushë (Istog), Pejë and Junik.
The program “Support for the Strengthening of Sustainable and Multipurpose Forest Management for Improve Livelihoods in Rural Areas and to Address Climate Change in Kosovo” – GCP/KOS/007/SWE and GCP/KOS/008/EC implemented by FAO aims to support the promotion and establishment of sustainable management of forest resources through a multipurpose and participatory approach, strengthened in accordance with the relevant rules and supported by value chains gender-responsive for poverty alleviation.
In a joint effort to address the multi-purpose aspects of forest management and conservation, as well as to promote silviculture, medicinal plants and the cure of chestnut canker, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development and the Forestry Agency of Kosovo we organized a special forestry camp for students of Forest Management at the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences at UPZ and for all departments related to forestry in Kosovo.
The event that took place on 09 – 13.10.2023, lasted five days and marked an important step towards promoting sustainable forest management practices and forest resources of Kosovo. Students were involved in various activities, ranging from practical work in forests, silviculture, distribution and collection of medicinal plants, and analysis and treatments of chestnut canker and chestnut wasp.
In a special presentation, international experts (Simone Prospero from WSL – Zurich, Shiroma Sathyapala, International Forestry Specialist; Kahraman Ipekdal and Ibrahim Turna, International Forest Management Planning Specialists and local experts: Albana Milaimi from FSHJM – UPZ; Lirim Cacaj from the Forestry Institute of Kosovo) of the field shared their knowledge with the students about sustainable forestry techniques and the importance of curing chestnut cancer through the use of medicinal plants. This forest camp not only promoted multi-purpose practices but also encouraged students to develop a proactive attitude towards the environment and forests of Kosovo. Mrs. Shiroma Sathyapala – from FAO, expressed her satisfaction with the positive response of the students to this forest camp and emphasized that important forest management is necessary to ensure that the forest wealth of Kosovo is preserved and developed in order to benefit future generations.
This forestry camp shows that education and awareness about the multi-purpose aspects of forest and environment management are at the top of Kosovo’s agenda and that international organizations such as FAO are committed to supporting the sustainable development of forests and the environment in this country.