Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most afforested countries of Europe, forests cover more than a half of the territory. The inaccessible hillsides and deep valleys have always been an obstacle to logging, and thus the forests have maintained its traditional mixed character. The first complete forestry action plan was implemented in 1878 when Bosnia and Herzegovina was brought under the Austria-Hungarian administration. The system of forest management continued until the era of socialist Yugoslavia and it remained in existence until now. In order to modernize and to increase the efficiency of forest data collection the Czech experts from the Forest Management Institute could thus follow up on the country's previous experience.

The project financed within the development cooperation gives local foresters the opportunity to learn efficient methods of data collection and forest inventory, so that they can enhance their forestry action plans and respond quickly to the demand for wood. The wood processing industry has a strong potential and it belongs among the most important industries of Bosnian economy. The introduction of two cable logging systems for inaccessible terrains and multiple trainings for local forest operators are also inseparable parts of the Czech project. At the end of the project Bosnian foresters will benefit from a better understanding of their forests and will be able to design forest action plans as well as to log in terrains with restricted access. In its final effect, companies specialized in wood processing will be better supplied with high quality raw materials and will improve their market positioning.

Detailed information about projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina are available here.