Presidential Decree No. 214 on forest conservation measures.

This Presidential Decree charges the Ministry of Forests and its officials and state organizations with the responsibility to protect forests. Direct protection and conservation of forests shall be carried by forest officers. Forest officers shall be directly responsible for implementing protection and conservation measures, including, afforestation and reforestation, and for maintaining a favourable environment for wildlife species. The Decree requires that the sale of standing timber shall entail the allocation and transfer of woodcutting areas and the registration of timber extraction and logging. Main use, intermediate and secondary cutting of standing timber may be authorized for sale. It does not apply to trees and shrubbery located in the inhabited areas except for urban forests. Only secondary cutting shall be authorized in protected areas in accordance with the relevant regulation on their management. Woodcutting areas shall consist of mature and overly mature forests. Final harvesting of acutifoliate elm, linden, beech, Karelian birch, cedar and red fir shall be prohibited. Felling licences shall be issued annually to forest managers for each woodcutting area separately, and shall specify the amount of timber that may be extracted and set a deadline for its transport.