Specialists at the Katon-Karagai State National Park are asking the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources to fund sanitary forest felling.
According to Astana TV, foresters reported that some roads in the reserve are blocked by fallen trees and branches, making it impossible for fire-fighting vehicles to pass in an emergency.
Meanwhile, district maslikhat deputy Dauren Kalibekov believes that fallen trees become breeding grounds for various pests and, once they become dry deadwood, could be a source of fire.
"We need to clear the road here, about 12 km to the Saraita area. And it's not just here, but across the entire territory of the national park. Funds are needed to completely clear and restore all roads for fire engine access," the deputy said.
Furthermore, foresters claim that the time when forests were cut down under the guise of sanitary clearance to be sold as timber has passed. In their words, the total ban in specially protected areas needs to be reviewed.
At the same time, gamekeepers believe that sanitary felling is an essential part of forest management that improves the health of the forest.
For reference, in June last year, a major fire occurred in the forests of the Abai region, resulting in the deaths of 14 employees of the "Semey Ormany" natural forest reserve. The fire destroyed more than 63,000 hectares of unique relict pine forest. The damage exceeded 160 billion tenge.