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Afforestation
The sub-director of forest property protection at the General Directorate of Forests, Saeed Freitas, confirmed that forest fires in Algeria recorded a decline for the second year in a row in terms of the number of fires and affected areas, noting that public authorities annually replant and restore the equivalent of or exceeding 40 thousand hectares, which is the annual average of forest areas lost due to fires..
Freitas explained, during his hosting of the “Morning Guest” program on Radio One on the occasion World Day to Combat DesertificationThe forests and environmental environments in Algeria extend over an area of approximately 4.1 million hectares, but they represent only 2 percent of the country’s total area, which requires strengthening efforts to protect, preserve vegetation, and combat desertification.
The spokesman revealed that the national plan to combat forest fires This year, it began on May 1 instead of June, and will continue until November 30, in a proactive step approved by the National Committee for Forest Protection, which includes 13 ministerial sectors and 11 national institutions using forest spaces.
He pointed out that this extension came after the largest fire during the last season was recorded on October 27 in the state of Tipaza, that is, a full month after the end of the firefighting season, in addition to international warnings related to the possible return of the “El Nino” phenomenon and the rise in temperatures, drought waves, and unseasonal rains that it may cause.
In the context of enhancing prevention and intervention capabilities, Freitas explained that the Forest Department operates more than 510 observation towers distributed across various forest regions, in addition to a network of forest paths exceeding 52 thousand kilometers to facilitate the arrival of intervention and fire suppression teams, in addition to advanced and mobile monitoring centers in the areas most vulnerable to fires.
He added that Algeria relies on monitoring and early warning systems and modern technologies, supported by meteorological data around the clock. National institutions, including Sonelgaz and the National Railway Transport Company, also participate in implementing preventive measures to limit the causes of fires in forest areas.
