Organization of Forestry
For the past 80 years the forest area of Hungary has been gradually increasing. This is due to large-scale afforestation and tree planting carried out under the supervision of professional foresters. As a result, forest area which in 1921 was hardly larger than 1 million hectares today exceeds 1.9 million ha. During the past three decades historical changes took place in Hungary (change of the political system, accession to the European Union). Due to these changes forest ownership and forest management have also fundamentally changed.
In Hungary the share of state forests is 57 %, of community forests is 1 % and of private forests is 42 %. A long-term goal is the increase of private and community owned forest areas through afforestation. The highlighted objective of forest policy is the structural improvement of the over-divided estate system that hinders private forest management, and the establishment of viable management organisations and partnerships.
State forests are managed by 22 state forest management corporations. However, other national institutions – like water resource directorates, national parks – are also managing state forests.
The share of community forests is relatively small. These forests mostly managed by municipalities of villages and cities.
The majority of private forests are undivided joint properties which are managed by natural persons – having contracts- or corporations.
To ensure sustainable forest management forests are managed only according to district forest management plans issued by the forestry authority for both public and private forests.
State forests are managed by 22 state forest management corporations. However, other national institutions – like water resource directorates, national parks – are also managing state forests.
The share of community forests is relatively small. These forests mostly managed by municipalities of villages and cities.
The majority of private forests are undivided joint properties which are managed by natural persons – having contracts- or corporations.
To ensure sustainable forest management forests are managed only according to district forest management plans issued by the forestry authority for both public and private forests.