- We look at the forest with our economic eyes and then the forest has no rights.
We have to find new ways to get economy from the nature we have left.
Now it hangs in the balance, says Bo Persson.
More nature must be protected
The forest's biological diversity has declined sharply.
Therefore, more forests worthy of protection with high natural values must be saved.
This was confirmed by the Swedish Forestry Agency in its latest environmental target evaluation, where the main conclusion was that the environmental target for the forest, decided by the Riksdag, is not being reached.
At the same time, Sweden has international commitments for biological diversity.
At a UN meeting in December, the world's countries agreed to save 30 percent of sea and land, to slow down the acute crisis for biodiversity.
"The clearing method must be limited"
The question is how it will be done.
Bo Persson has four forest properties in Strömsund municipality.
There, he practices close-to-nature forestry without clear cutting.
In one of the areas, he has chosen not to use the forest at all.
Regarding the usual forestry with clear-cutting and the need for wood, he says this:
- We will continue to produce wood, but we need to limit the clear-cutting method.
It will remain.
I don't think anyone is against that.
But we have to redirect our consumption of, for example, cardboard and paper, so that the forest is sufficient, he says.
In the clip, you get to go on a tour among 400-year-old firs, and hear Bo tell about what he hopes will happen to his forest.