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

The fact that our world is a very big ecosystem of interconnected gearwheels has made it necessary to establish certain standards in the use of natural resources. While using natural resources, at the same time, the least harm to nature is the main objective 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 such 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. In 2013, Bolu Forest Management Directorate, which was selected as the study area, was started to obtain a Forest Management Certificate. In the middle of 2014, Bolu Forest Management Directorate affiliated to the Regional Directorate before the Regional Directorate was entitled to receive FMC. According to the survey results; first aid, basic occupational health and safety training given to workers. Personal protective equipment provided to workers was found to reduce the severity of injuries in occupational accidents during forest cutting and other productions. While a certain group is informed about the activities carried out in the forest before certification, the studies carried out after certification, protected areas, high-value forest maps and forestry activities are all shared with the world through national channels. In the planned activities, stakeholders' opinions are asked and respect for forest villagers is increased. In addition, it was determined that not only the protection of the nature, but also the trainings was provided to inform the employees in harvesting.