Field visit – degraded lands of Riscova

The autumn is here, and once again we are getting ready for plantings, exploring the lands that are looking forward to become greener – this time, in village Riscova, Criuleni district.

This landscape isn’t unique – deforested hills, suffering from intense pasturing, soil, bereft of moisture towards the end of summer. Wherever is possible, people are somehow still practicing agriculture – or, better said, corniculture.

Why did we come here – because here is a very high risk of landslide, helped by gravity and people themselves. Just have a look at the pictures!
Villagers put their lives at stake, excavating sand and clay from under a hill 10-20 meters tall, while big chunks of it fall from the top.
And top of obstinacy – no further than 10 meters from the precipice a corn field begins. However, if everything continues as it is now, it doesn’t have much time left…

Checking the soil.

A very familiar sight…

We’ll be able to use some of those as seedlings.

Hopefully, we won’t have to protect every tree this way…