Forest Restitution in Romania and Informal Economic Activities: Case Study –Chiojdu Commune Author: Marioara Rusu Institute of Agricultural Economics

Optimistic official statistics…

…but the facts…

The specialists warn… The specialists warn…... forests of Romania are in danger... Inadequate and unreal information regarding forests - no real information about forested land - no real information about cut timber - no real information about exported timber and other wooden products (Giurgiu,2006)

Chiojdu commune Total area – 12841ha Total area – 12841ha Total population – 3796 locuitori Total population – 3796 locuitori Agricultural land – 4418ha Agricultural land – 4418ha Forests – 7846ha Forests – 7846ha Share of poorer households Share of poorer households – nearly 25% Specific feature: Most of the villagers preserved their forest properties. They have not made significant cuttings as in other rural communities.

Informal activities Cuttings without authorization - “cuttings for survival” Cuttings without authorization - “cuttings for survival” Extracting more timber than authorized Extracting more timber than authorized Underestimation of timber in forest planning area Underestimation of timber in forest planning area Movement of illegally logged timber from forest to market Movement of illegally logged timber from forest to market Processing timber without legal papers Processing timber without legal papers

Solidarity networks Solidarity networks Interests networks Interests networks

Causes for informal activities Lack of a settled and clear legislative framework (legal framework very often changed, laws issued too late, long time between laws and methodological rules, laws which were never enforced etc.) Lack of a settled and clear legislative framework (legal framework very often changed, laws issued too late, long time between laws and methodological rules, laws which were never enforced etc.) Unclear ownership rights Unclear ownership rights Low level of control exerted by the institutions (low number of employees, bureaucracy, inefficient penalty system, poor collaboration between institutions etc.) Low level of control exerted by the institutions (low number of employees, bureaucracy, inefficient penalty system, poor collaboration between institutions etc.) Low degree of information and education regarding the importance of forests Low degree of information and education regarding the importance of forests Poverty Poverty

Conclusion and Recommendations Settled and clear legislative framework Settled and clear legislative framework Efficient institutions Efficient institutions Awareness campaigns Awareness campaigns Economic alternatives for population in hilly and mountainous areas Economic alternatives for population in hilly and mountainous areas