In connection with the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl NPP accident, a scientific and practical seminar "Forest Ecosystems in the Chernobyl NPP Exclusion Zone" will be held in Khoyniki.

On May 14-15, 2026, a scientific and practical seminar "Forest Ecosystems in the Chernobyl NPP Exclusion Zone" will be held in Khoyniki, Gomel Region. The seminar is organized by the Institute of Forest of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Polesie State Radiation-Ecological Reserve.

The scientific and practical seminar is held with the aim of summarizing the accumulated knowledge in the field of forest radioecology and the state of forest ecosystems in radionuclide-contaminated lands, including in the exclusion zone; exchanging experience and knowledge of scientists and practitioners in the field of forest management in radionuclide-contaminated territories, as well as in connection with the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl NPP disaster. Within the framework of the scientific and practical seminar, it is planned to familiarize with the scientific and experimental production facilities of the Polesie State Radiation-Ecological Reserve, the results of scientific research will be summarized, and a strategy for their development in this direction will be proposed.

Main scientific areas of the seminar:

– Forest radiobiology and radioecology;

– Forest management, reproduction, protection, and conservation of forests in radioactively contaminated territories;

– Rehabilitation of radionuclide-contaminated forest territories and ensuring radiation safety in forestry.

Details on the website of the Institute of Forest of the NAS of Belarus