OREANDA-NEWS. October 18, 2011. Informatization of Forestry: Topical Problems All-Russian research-to-practice conference has been launched in Petrozavodsk State University.

The conference was organized by the Federal Forestry Agency at participation of the Government of Karelia. Head of the Federal Forestry Agency Viktor Maslyakov and Head of Karelia Andrei Nelidov have opened the conference. The meeting of two heads was held before the conference.

The goal of the conference is formation of the system to exchange experience in the field of modernization and automation of Russia's forestry control system. Heads of the Federal Forestry Agency, its territorial bodies and lower organizations, deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russian Federation and Chairlady of the State Duma Committee for Problems of the North and the Far East Valentina Pivnenko, Chief Federal Inspector in the Republic of Karelia Alexander Hynninen, Cabinet ministers of the Republic of Karelia, representatives of bodies of the government from many regions of the country, scientists from Russia and Finland take part in the conference

In 2011 the Federal Forestry Agency has launched a large-scale process of introducing information technologies for forestry management, which is perfection of the control system of the branch, substitution of paper documents circulation by electronic, creation of a uniform, complete and authentic infobase about the forest. Within the scope of this work the Federal Forestry Agency has already prepared more than 15 various projects, including creation of a uniform State forest register.

To perform requirements of the Forestry Code properly today it is necessary to create a system of registration of the information on the forest, its use, protection, conservation and reproduction uniform for all regions. The new information system is called to trace all the changes going on in the forest, including places and volumes of cuttings, fire damade, works on reforestation on a real-time basis. Currently, the concept of a Uniform automated information system of the forest branch is being developed. This system, in conception of its developers, will be a uniform source of valid data for bodies of the forest industry, tax services, law-enforcement bodies, and customs. The system-to-be should become an effective tool for struggle against illegal cuttings, timber smuggling, tax and other offences in the sphere of forestry.

To create an information system this large, it is necessary to unite knowledge of scientists and experts from various spheres. According to Viktor Maslyakov who addressed to the conference, Petrozavodsk State University was chosen for a platform to exchange experience. This institution of higher education has an extensive base for scientific development, both in the field of timber industry complex, and in the sphere of information technologies. It's been a long time since our experts in these areas have become recognized in the scientific community. The conference should become an annual event and be of benefit for Russia and Karelia as the republic will become a center for discussion and decision-making on further development of the branch.

Head of the republic Andrei Nelidov has been promoting the idea of granting Karelia a special status of the center of introducing innovations in forestry. Addressing to the conference he has thanked Viktor Maslyakov for confidence and attention to the republic. In particular, Head of Karelia has pointed out: "Karelia is a unique forest region where introduction of innovations is convenient. Karelia may be used for an innovation platform where together with scientists we will apply world norms and rules of forest management, and in the further to extend them to the whole Russia."

One of the specific innovation projects which during the conference Viktor Maslyakov and Andrei Nelidov have agreed to implement in Karelia is creation of a system of thermal imagers in territory of the republic. Expansion of a network of these devices will allow to reveal forest fires that will essentially facilitate their early suppression and mitigate the damage to nature.

The conference will last for two days. During this time various aspects of informatization of Russia's forest industry management will be discussed in PetrSU. Besides the basic plenary session, work in break-up groups, round table discussions are planned.