Due to their accessibility, the forests in the Kidričevo municipality are subjected to scrutiny from investors who want to deforest parts of them. Based on historical sources and data from The Slovenia Forest Service, changes in the forest area of Kidričevo from 1823 to 2021 were analysed. Forest cover rate at the time of the Franciscan Cadastre (1823-1869) was 1.9 %. The rate increased to 22.8 % by 2001 and then started to decrease, reaching 21.6 % in 2021. The municipal spatial plan foresees changes in land use, namely, on 332,39 ha of current forest area, industrial facilities, a gravel pit, infrastructure and settlements are planned. These changes will reduce forest cover to 16.8%. The aforementioned large changes in land use are the result of a lack of consideration of expert opinions. Introduction of double control principle on decision-making regarding land interventions, as well as conducting a study as a basis for the initiation of a procedure for the declaration of protected forests are proposed.
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