On World Forestry Day and Week, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Prof. Dr. With the participation of Vahit Kirişci, the “6 February Earthquake Martyrs Forest Sapling Planting Ceremony” was held in Ankara.
In his speech at the ceremony, Minister Kirişci said that they will establish a memorial forest in 81 provinces in memory of the citizens who lost their lives in the earthquakes.
Drawing attention to the work they did within the Ministry in the earthquake area, Kirişci said that they actively participated in the search and rescue efforts and helped to provide shelter, food, basic needs, heating, drinking and utility water.
Emphasizing that they also take an active part in the debris removal works, Minister Kirişci said that they distributed feed and food for farms and stray animals, brought raw milk into production, brought agricultural support worth 5 billion liras to the fore, postponed agricultural and ORKOY cats for 1 year, and extended the grant application period. expressed.
Minister Kirişci emphasized that damage assessment studies and food inspections for public health continue in the countryside.
Minister Kirişci stated that he took part in search and rescue works with the Forest Search and Rescue (ORKUT) team of 334 people. Kirişci said that in addition to firewood, food supply and shelter, OGM played a leading role in firefighting with airplanes and helicopters.
“AGRICULTURAL DAMAGE ASSESSMENT STUDIES CONTINUE”
Pointing out that "global warming and climate change" is another important problem apart from earthquake disasters, Kirişci said that forestry activities are also important in the fight against it.
Kirişci stated that the earthquake region experienced a new disaster with flooding and stated that the expected precipitation in 1 year fell in 3 days.
Underlining that the Ministry has considerably reduced the impact of creek rehabilitation and flood protection projects and disasters in the last 20 years, Kirişci noted that agricultural damage assessment studies continue.
Pointing out that forests have countless values, from protecting water resources to preventing erosion-flood and floods, Minister Kirişci said, “We are also aware of this, we protect and develop our forest resources. We will use our deep-rooted knowledge in forestry to further green the 'Green Homeland'. OGM continues to work in a wide range of services, from planting seedlings to sapling maintenance, from the development of forest villages to forest fires.” he said.
Indicating that they are trying to develop Turkey's richness in forestry as in agricultural production, Kirişci shared the information that they have increased their forest assets by 20 percent to 12 million hectares in the last 23,2 years.
Minister Kirişci said, “We increased the number of forest parks from 20 to 92, with a 1826-fold increase. In order to increase the welfare of our forest villagers, we provide 20 percent grant and 80 percent interest-free ORKOY loan. The loans have reached 20 billion liras in the last 6 years.” said.
“DSI AND OGM ARE ALWAYS READY FOR THE NATION'S SERVICE”
Kirişci stated that they formed their air fleet by purchasing 22 aircraft, 9 fire helicopters and 31 aircraft for the first time this year to combat forest fires, adding that the number of sprinklers, which was 2002 in 633, increased to 1350, the first response vehicle not in the inventory to 2, and 284 aircraft. shared that they increased the number of construction machines to 1621.
Underlining that they are the first country in Europe to use UAVs in firefighting, Kirişci continued as follows:
“DSI and OGM are ready for the service of the nation anytime, anywhere with their powerful machinery-equipment park. As of today, the machine park of these two institutions has exceeded 11 thousand. In the disaster of the century, we participated in search and rescue efforts with approximately 15 thousand personnel and more than 5 thousand machinery and equipment. The sprinkler and first response vehicles we distributed last week will act as fire repellants where they are located. Our forestry organization has become stronger with 2022 water trucks, 262 trucks, 73 trailers, 8 first response vehicles, 222 dozers, 24 graders and 40 excavators that we added in 64. A total of 190 vehicles, including 197 water sprinklers and 387 first response vehicles, whose delivery ceremony was held last week, will serve to protect and develop the 'Green Homeland'.
Minister Kirişci reminded that they sent 9 articles in 39 laws concerning them in the field of agriculture and forestry to the Parliament and stated that the negotiations in water-based production planning, environment and agriculture commissions have been completed.
Emphasizing that their wish is the enactment of the law proposal that will contribute to them as a revolution in the field of agriculture and forestry as soon as possible, Kirişci said, “Our aim is to strengthen our forests against the risks that may arise in the future, as in agricultural production. We will protect and develop the Blue Homeland and the Green Homeland and Fertile Lands with proactive work and present them to the public as it is.” he said.
In addition to politicians and embassies of countries participating in search and rescue efforts in earthquake disaster, teachers, students, miners, earthquake victims and many guests attended the ceremony.