LEGISLAȚIA ȚARISTĂ PRIVIND ADMINISTRAREA FONDULUI FORESTIER DIN BASARABIA SUB DOMINAȚIE RUSEASCĂ (1812–1917)

Summary. The Russian Empire’s annexation of Bessarabia in 1812 marked the beginning of a new stage in the management of the region’s forest resources, integrating the forests into a centralized administrative system that reflected the economic and political priorities of the Empire. Forests in Bessarabia, which covered some 1.5 million hectares in the early 19th century, became an important strategic resource for construction, military, and energy needs. Soon after annexation, the Russian Empire set up administrative structures to control natural resources. Among these was the Forestry Department of the Bessarabian Government, responsible for forest management and the implementation of forestry policies under the authority of the Ministry of Imperial Domains. In 1839, the Commission for the Revision of Imperial Properties was created to assess and register the forests of Bessarabia, establishing strict regulations and strengthening state control over forest resources.Forestry legislation was instrumental in defining the framework for forest management. The Forest Regulations of 1832 imposed severe restrictions on unauthorized logging and established harsh penalties for forest exploitation offences. Subsequently, the 1844 „Instruction for the Administration of State Forests” detailed the procedures for managing the imperial forests, including inventorying and long-term logging planning. However, enforcement of these regulations was often ineffective due to administrative problems and economic pressures.The impact of legislation on forest management has been mixed. Although laws and regulations created a basis for centralized administration, economic pressures and imperial priorities favored intensive exploitation of forest resources. Massive deforestation and inadequate enforcement of protection measures have led to a significant reduction in forest cover, negatively affecting ecosystems and local communities. Biodiversity loss, soil degradation and changes in hydrological regimes are just some of the long-term consequences of these policies. Forest management in Tsarist Bessarabia was characterized by a constant conflict between economic needs and conservation objectives. Key words: forest, administration, Basarabia, legislation, institutions, environment