East-Kazakhstan area is the only place where unique "tape" pine forests are still exist in Kazakhstan. But in spite of the fact that since 2003 the fine forests have been given a status of a special protected area, they have been exposed to intensive destruction for the last 7 years, mainly by deliberate arsons, fires, poacher cuttings down. As a result, the area of the pine forests reduced 3 times (from 600 thousand hectares down to 400 thousand in hectares). And though now fire-prevention, security, rehabilitation actions are taken, experts declare, that restoration of the wood will require 170 years of rehabilitation measures.

The project assumes to realize a long-term program on involving local population into the pine forests restoration activities using alternative technologies and then transferring experience gained to the local forestry experts and school environmental societies of Semipalatinsk and Pavlodar provinces.

Due to significant reduction of the pine forest areas, a

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huge number of planting stock is required. It can?t be covered by the resources available in 5 of the pine trees nurseries exist in the region. Thus, within the project two techniques of the pine restoration will be implemented. The first one will be a cultivation of the pine with closed root system in hothouse conditions. The second is a creation of conditions for natural renewal of the trees on the burnt arreas. Both technologies will promote conservation of the pine forests in the region.

Project tasks:
1) To develop a hothouse and to adjust planting stock production.
2) To assist natural renewal and artificial creation of the pine forest on the burnt areas.
3) To generalize experience gained and to lead demonstration seminars and scientifically-practical conference for experts of the region to share experience of usage of alternative forest rehabilitating technologies.
4) To implement Information and educational activities to raise local people awareness about the methods which the problem can be solved by.

Expected results:
?Manufacture of the pine with the closed root system in hothouse is implemented (30 thousand of seedlings within two years are expected to be grown)
?Introduction of the methods of natural renewal of the pine "forgotten" in last decades on the burnt places is adjusted
?Artificial pine planting actions are carried out
?The restored forest area is increased
?Activity of the NGOs, local authorities, local community is strengthened.

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