The Conceptual Foundations of Recreational Natural Resource Management and the Development of the Forestry Sector in the Context of European Integration Processes

The research has established that forests are one of the strategic directions of the national economy, ensuring its sustainable development, and serve as a source of various raw material resources (timber, medicinal, and other biological products), as well as a resource that is not assessed in monetary terms, yet is an irreplaceable measure of the social component of life activities and recreational opportunities for the population. It is emphasized that the search for balanced natural resource management should be based on a combination of economic, technical, social, and ecological factors and directions for using forest resources. The implementation of strategic development programs for the forestry sector is complicated by the pollution of forest areas with remnants of explosives, as well as the lack of harmonization of domestic legislation with European approaches and standards. It is proved that recreational natural resource management of forest resources should be understood as a set of legislatively regulated conditions and rules of behavior aimed at the psychological and physical health of individuals, as well as at the restoration and development of forest plantations that have suffered from fires, illegal logging, mismanagement, and as a result of force majeure circumstances. It is emphasized that the term «recreation» is more often used from the perspective of its relation to a person, as an action aimed at health restoration or relaxation; however, natural resource use is not only about utilizing natural resources for leisure, this also encompasses productive and industrial activities. Therefore, it is indicated that the term «recreation» is appropriately used in two contexts: human recreation and industrial recreation, and thus, the categorization of recreational areas should also occur based on a similar principle. This conception of zoning for recreational nature management will establish clear regulations and legislative directions on the part of the government for the further allocation of financial resources and responsibilities among economic entities, the State, and local authorities for the restoration of industrial territories, nature conservation, development of recreational and tourism areas, as well as areas affected by force majeure circumstances.