The investigation of the effects of forest certification on wood raw material harvesting activities (Case study of Bolu State Forest Enterprise)

Abstract

The main goal is to cause the least damage to the environment while using natural resources for developed countries. This has led to the emergence of international environmental protection programs and specific certification programs for wood production. In the last decade, the protection of the sustainable lives of endangered plants and other living organisms in the world has been committed through protection programs. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of forest management certificate (FMC) on wood raw material harvesting activities before and after certification. Bolu Forestry Management Directorate, which was chosen as the study area, the studies for obtaining FMC started in 2013, and it was entitled to receive FMC in the middle of 2014. In the study, data were obtained by using face-to-face interview method and survey technique on a voluntary basis with technical staff (29 people) and forestry production workers (21 people). The questionnaire forms are on a 5-point Likert scale and aim to reveal the basic information of the participants and the general and production-related views of the technical personnel and forestry workers within the scope of FMC. According to the results of the survey, it has been revealed that the results of the first aid, basic occupational health and safety training given to the production workers within the scope of FMC are positively perceived and the issue is given importance by the workers. It has been determined that the personal protective equipment provided to production workers reduces the severity of injuries in occupational accidents during cutting and other production activities in forest areas. While a certain group was aware of the works carried out in the forest before the FMC, it was determined that the works carried out after the FMC, protected areas, high-value forest maps, forestry activities were shared with the world through national channels. In the planned studies, it is stated that the opinions of the stakeholders are asked and respect for the forest villagers is increased. In addition, it has been determined that the trainings are not only for the protection of nature, but also to inform the employees in the production.