March 21 is the International Day of Forests. In 2012, the UN General Assembly declared March 21 as the International Day of Forests.
The theme of the day in 2023 is "Forest and Health". Forests play a major role in maintaining human health.
Officially, according to the data of 1993, the forests of Armenia make up 11.2% of the country. But these areas have shrunk over the years. According to expert data, they make up only 6-8%.
As a result of the control carried out during 2022 in the direction of the use and protection of flora and fauna objects, Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body found illegal cutting and 18,405 trees damaged to the point of growth cessation, illegal acquisition and transportation of 1,231.8 square meters of timber was recorded. The amount of compensation for the damage caused to the flora accounted for 893,690,284 AMD, and according to the calculation with the inspection, the damage caused to the forests made up about 815 million AMD in 2020.
According to the decision 610-L of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of April 22, 2021, Armenia has committed to increase the forest cover to 12.9% of the territory of Armenia during 2021-2030.
March 21, 2023 at 15:49