Forestry use in the Zhytomyr region territories affected by the Chernobyl accident

The purpose of the article is to analyse the state of forest use in areas of the Zhytomyr region exposed to radioactive contamination. Research methods. In the research process, general scientific and special methods of research were used, including the method of statistical comparison and grouping for considering specific conditions of forest management in the contaminated territories; method of analysis and synthesis for analysing the state of forest use in the areas contaminated with radionuclides; abstract-logical for formulating conclusions to the article. Research results. The study found that the loss of forest stands on the territories exposed to radioactive contamination is about 60% of the total area. The article presents the results of the economic activity of enterprises located in these areas. We should admit that those enterprises produce more than 50% of the forestry products of Zhytomyr region. Volume of sales of forestry products has a clear tendency to increase. In the investigated areas, measures are being taken to restore the forests and protect them from pests and diseases. Components of forest protection are surveillance, inspection, threat prediction, preventive and immediate protection measures. However, sustainable forest management based on sustainability and environmental responsibility would require such measures to be strengthened. Elements of scientific novelty. While conducting a forest management analysis in the discussed region we have to separate the above-mentioned areas into a specific group. After all, the production of environmentally safe forest products on those territories requires special scientific approaches, methods of management and control. Practical significance. The article is devoted to a study of the forest management on Zhytomyr region areas affected by the Chernobyl accident. Because of the technogenic catastrophe, more than 440 thousand hectares of forests were contaminated with radionuclides in Zhytomyr region (mainly in the areas of Naroditsky, Ovrutsky, Olevsky, Luginsky, Korostensky, Yemilchinsky, Malinsky, Novograd-Volynsky, and Khoroshevsky districts). It has been estimated that the specific radioactive contamination of forests makes the radiation control and use of forest products more complicated. Also it requires special approaches to the management of such holdings. Tabl.: 5. Refs.: 10.