MOSCOW, February 22. /TASS/. About 8,500 forest plots were allocated to individuals under the Far Eastern and Arctic Hectare programs over seven years. The Yakutia, Trans-Baikal and Khabarovsk Regions top the list, the Federal Forestry Agency's press service said.

"About 8,500 forest plots have been provided to individuals under the Far Eastern and Arctic Hectares (programs) over seven years. The leaders are: Yakutia - 4,800 contracts (56.3%), the Trans-Baikal Region - 1,600 (18.9%), the Khabarovsk Region - 542 contracts (6.3%)," the press service reported.

According to the forestry authority, the state program favors the investment attractiveness of the Arctic, Siberia and the Far East. The individuals, receiving forest plots, may use them in compliance with the forest legislation. After 4.5 years from the date of the contract on the plot's use for free, it will be leased.

"In order to have a forest plot, an applicant must draw up a forest development project, must carry out forestry and forest conservation measures in compliance with the law. If the terms of the forest lease agreement are breached, the user bears respective responsibility, and the lease agreement may be terminated. Control over the fulfillment of obligations is entrusted to regional forestry departments," the press service quoted Elena Borodavkina of the Federal Forestry Agency as saying.

The Far Eastern Hectare state program has been in effect since 2016. Since 2021, it has been extended to land plots in the Russian Federation's Arctic Zone and other territories of the North and Siberia (the Arctic Hectare Program). Under it, residents can get land for free and farm on it, develop tourism. On forest plots - residents may be engaged in any type of forest use in compliance with the Forest Code. For example, to harvest wild plants, grow fruit and berry plants.