The Flemish government has the ambition to create 4,000 hectares of extra forest by the end of this term of office. After two years, 535 new forests have already been added, which together account for 656 hectares (6.56 square kilometers). The minister reports that. In addition, another 250 compensation forests (414 hectares) have been added in the past two years. These are forests that are planted to compensate for deforestation elsewhere.
Demir says the rate of afforestation has clearly increased, but emphasizes that “a lot more” is needed. “We remain committed to making Flanders greener, no matter how difficult that is sometimes.”
The minister therefore wants to work on a revision of the lease legislation, which is seen as one of the biggest barriers to making Flanders greener. “The heaviest effort continues to find sufficient grounds for afforestation,” said Demir.
To realize the forest expansion, the government works together with nature organizations such as Natuurpunt, the Bos groups, Bos+, the Regional Landscapes and Landelijk Vlaanderen. Together they form the “Forest Alliance”.