ON THE ISSUE OF THE SANITARY AND HYGIENIC FUNCTION OF THE FOREST, ITS THERAPEUTIC AND HEALTH-IMPROVING EFFECT

The article discusses the issues of the sanitary and hygienic function of the forest ecosystem, its therapeutic and health-improving effect on the population of the country. A set of factors contributing to ensuring an ecologically favorable human environment and having a predominantly health-related focus is highlighted. The opinions of famous people about the aesthetic significance of the forest as one of the most beautiful elements of the environment are given, as for many centuries, people admired the beauty of the forest, used it in art and poetry. And examples are shown of the careless, barbaric attitude towards this invaluable national and world heritage even in our time (An attempt to allow exploration and development of minerals in the protected area of Sochi National Park, as well as the possibility of continuous logging, soil cover violations and changes in the hydrological regime. Or, the proposal of two dozen deputies of the State Duma and senators of the Federation Council, under the pretext of caring for local residents, to introduce a bill explicitly allowing continuous logging as part of construction projects in the central ecological zone of Lake Baikal). In conclusion, the author focuses on the recreational role of forests, examines the social functions of recreation: biomedical, socio-cultural and economic. It offers directions for the most rational use of available opportunities to preserve this important resource.