Exploitation of forests in the years 2003-2012

Open Data Albania has researched data on the exploitation of forests in the country during 2003-2012, focusing on the trees cutting of the categories permitted or lawful, and on the structure of the use of the cut trees.  As to cutting trees official records show that as the year with the most amount of cuts the year 2004, with 341 thousand m3, while at the other extreme stands the year 2010, with 23 thousand m3 reported, or about 15 times less.

In the past two years, 2011-2012, there is an increasing trend of exploitation of forests through cutting, but that is still less highlighted than in the years 2003-2006 or 2008-2009.

^{Source: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Management
Processing and comments: ODA}

The chart below presents the total exploitation of forests, divided (i) logging by private entities and villagers, which are classified as legitimate cutting, and (ii) the illegal cutting, or cutting without permission.

^{Source: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Management
Processing and comments: ODA}

Much of the logging is conducted by private entities, the performance of which has undergone fluctuations from year to year. The largest increase and amount was recorded in 2004, with 229 thousand m3 and nearly two times more than in 2003. After this year, until in 2007, continued the decline of exploitation by private businesses, to reach the 36 thousand m3, or as one sixth of use in 2004.

^{Source: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Management
Processing and comments: ODA}

Logging by villagers near the forest area residents had the highest level in 2003, with 107 thousand m3 and have been gradually decreasing year by year until 2010. After this year, appears again the trend of 0exploitation of forests in 2011-2012.

^{Source: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Management
Processing and comments: ODA}

Special interest is presented by the illegal logging over the years. The highest amount is evidenced in 2003, when they amounted to about 18% of the total forest logging. After this year it has generally been declining. However, in the last two years there is a growing tendency, both in quantity and in the share of the total use of forests.

^{Source: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Management
Processing and comments: ODA}

Regarding the use of forest structure over the years, the largest share is occupied by logging for firewood, which has reached the maximum in 2003 and has been declining up in 2007. The downward trend continues even after 2008 and only in 2012 it is noted the increase in logging for firewood.

^{Source: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Management
Processing and comments: ODA}