Forestry funding will increase by 28.3% in 2026

In 2026, state support for forestry will significantly increase. Funding for the state program "Forestry Development" will reach 81 billion rubles, an increase of 18.7 billion rubles (28.3%) compared to the previous period.

According to the Federal Forestry Agency, over 80% of the funds will be directed to the regions for the implementation of transferred powers in forestry matters. This includes salaries for forestry workers, forest conservation, protection, and restoration activities. According to the head of the agency, Ivan Sovetnikov, the increased funding is the result of joint work with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Finance. This should improve the efficiency of forest management and help achieve established indicators.

Special emphasis is placed on forest fire suppression. In 2026, investment in forest fire protection will increase by more than a third, reaching 26.7 billion rubles. An additional 6.9 billion rubles will be allocated. Compared to 2025, the funds will be allocated to strengthen firefighting units in 19 of the country's most problematic regions. An additional 1.2 billion rubles are allocated for special firefighting measures and extending the duration of aerial monitoring.

Significant funds have also been allocated under the federal project "Forest Conservation." In 2026, 12 billion rubles have been allocated for its implementation, 7 billion of which will go directly to regional budgets. This money is planned for the purchase of forestry equipment, reforestation work, the development of seed banks, the care of young trees, and the development of a network of forest nurseries.

Overall, according to the draft federal budget, the total funding for forestry for the 2026-2028 planning period will amount to 255 billion rubles. This reflects the commitment to systemically strengthening the forestry industry and the long-term conservation of the country's forest resources.