http://www.forestforum.ru/images/banner.gif http://www.forestforum.ru/ en http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=9005 Forest "reforms" of the last decade (the elimination of the Federal Forestry Service in 2000 and the subsequent chaotic changes in the structure of forest management, the introduction of the new Forest Code in 2007, replacing professional managers by political appointees, and others) have led to a profound decline of Russian forestry. Current crisis in forestry has a chance to be the most severe crisis in the history of state forest management in Russia. In fact, the old system of forest management and forestry, formed by centuries, was destroyed and now is in a state of agony. But a new system doesn't work and may not emerge because of the incompatibility of the new forest law and life. In the foreseeable future (at least in the next year or two), the situation will getting worse and worse, because the mistakes of "reformers" are not recognized and not corrected. The "reformers" explain the critical state of affairs in forestry due to false and secondary causes, inoffensive for them. Mainly the regional authorities are deemed guilty, because they ostensibly can not cope with their responsibilities and do not justify the trust placed in them. Accordingly, solutions, ostensibly aimed at correcting the situation are wrong or ineffective, and lead to growing of the level of devastation every year. The current system of forest management reminds a "Potemkin village". It has a beautiful front facade, which can convince government leaders and other people far from the forests, that the forest is in relative order, and behind the facade everything gradually collapsing and dies. Maintaining of the beautiful front facade (an imitation of feverish legislative and compliance and enforcement activity, drafting of an unimaginable number of sectoral plans, programs, policies, concepts, reports, etc.) swallows up the most share of efforts and resources of forestry, and everything else is funded and provided by leftovers. Every year the content of the system of forest management is getting for the federal budget more and more expensive, but for real performers, working in the forest, of money comes less and less. Most often it happens that the money and time employees are only sufficient to produce reports on work performed, but not for real organizing and executing the work. There is no normal forestry in our country, there is only bad-organized forest use and some elements of forestry, preserved from past times and gradually disappearing in the course of "reform". Virtually disappeared applied forest science and forest experiment work, forest protection, centralized system of fighting forest fires, the system of work with the public on fire prevention and forest violation. Reduced to the obscene, sometimes to zero, the volume and especially the quality of reforestation, care of the saplings, forest activities. Forest inventory almost ceased to exist, and a workable system of state forest inventory has not been established. It results in absence of reliable information on the country's forests, and in the coming years this information is not expected. Effective system of protection of forests and other natural areas from fires also doesn't exist. After the fire disaster of 2010, forest protection has been restored "on paper", but only by imposing appropriate authority to those people, who are already fully engaged in fulfillment of other duties. People for whom the protection of forests would be the primary or sole responsibility has not appeared, because it was not allocated the money. Federal funds intended for the purchase of a new forest fire equipment will be obtained regions after the start of fire season, and the technique itself is likely to be able to start work almost exclusively in the following year. People able to organize an effective fight against forest fires will become much smaller, because in 2011, every employee of the forest will be forced to spend much more time on reporting and other office work - he wouldn't have enough time for working in the forest. In general, the bureaucratization of the system of forest management has reached an unimaginable earlier level - an average "paperwork" of leaders and specialists in forestry takes more than three-quarters of working hours. The leaders also have to spend a significant proportion of their time in various meetings, usually incoherent and ineffective, so they doesn't have enough time for real work or they need to do it after hours. In fact, the largest funds in forestry are spent on maintaining paperwork and conducting various meetings. The traditional system of forest management quickly dies. Most forest enterprises, many of which are major employers in their villages and towns are barely survive without much hope for the future. The main reasons for this - the critical level of depletion of economically accessible forest resources and the insane forestry legislation, which makes almost any lawful activity in the forest economically inefficient. Viability of the Russian forest sector is partly ensured by the abundance of relatively cheap illegally logged timber, but in many regions there is already nothing to steal. Despite this, more and more new large "investment" projects appear, including "priority" that receive forest resources on concessional terms (they are about a hundred such projects in the country), so the shortage of forest resources is becoming more hard. The continued depletion of forest resources and increasing costs associated with forest management (transportation costs, fuel, electricity, taxes, fees, etc.), make the forest sector of our country less competitive, and the chances of the majority of forest enterprises to survive - all the more elusive. Catastrophically deteriorating situation with forest around large cities, particularly Moscow and St. Petersburg. Forestry is actually turned into a system of land distribution from the forest under a variety of needs (construction, infrastructure construction, placement of quarries, industrial facilities, etc.). Every year large areas of forest are built, fenced and taken out of general use, and primarily in the areas most attractive to the rest of people. Numerous fences and structures impede access of citizens, including those forests, which formally are still free - and these forests are also in fact removed from public use. From the perspective of ordinary people, the forests around large cities are rapidly disappearing or becoming private, inaccessible for most of the people. One of the consequences of disruption in the forestry sector became a sharp and uncontrolled growth of loss in forest cover, dying as a result of outbreaks of pests, diseases, fires and similar disasters. The forests of many densely populated regions is already littered with deadwood, and after all the "reforms" the forest authorities simply can not dismantle obstructions. In the central regions of European Russia, there is a catastrophic outbreak of bark beetle, which will inevitably lead to forest destruction on a scale comparable to their death from fires in 2010, but much closer to major cities and towns. The forest administration authorities can not do anything with it - as there is not enough strength and expertise, and new legislation does not allow to carry forest protection measures fast enough. In general, the situation looks dire, and even almost hopeless, but it is not much different from the situation in many other spheres of activity - agriculture, science, education, public order, etc. The roots of many problems that severely affected our forest, lie far outside the forest sector. Now it seems to be quite clear, that it is impossible to restore order in a particular forestry, without changing the overall situation in the country. It's necessary to recover workable legislation, professional bodies of state power, the system of holding officials accountable to the society and the law, and many other matters, which has been destroyed in recent years. What to do with all this - is not very clear. Future of forestry and forests themselves are very closely linked with the future of our country, and it is now highly unpredictable. It is unknown whether already passed the historic "point of no return" after which return to the old life is impossible, or it has not been passed yet - but seems to be somewhere very close to it. Therefore, in conclusion, let me simply cite the words of Professor George Fedorovich Morozov, uttered in a similar historical situation - in April, 1917, at the opening of the All-Russian Congress of Delegates of the Union of Foresters: "I am finishing, and in conclusion I say, that my speech unfortunately was sad - as if devoid of spiritual vitality. I can not say that I overcame pessimism, but declining optimism is unmistakable. Yet we should not despair. There is no place for cowardice now. Already the presence of you all in such a great number, in spite of the travel difficulties, testifies to the strength of life, the desire to work. And we will work, but will avoid partisanship. We will not sacrifice for the slogans any living persons or living things. We will not issue bills for which will not be able to pay, in conversation do not forget the forest, do not forget the interests of science, culture, and our knowledge that we carry. Let's turn all our optimism into the state affair. And a wise life is likely to find its way to the creative wisdom of the resultant extreme flows. Demonstrate statehood of our decisions, and let us remember that our banner keeps the eternal words: "Take care of the forest". A. Yaroshenko, March 18, 201 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 22:12:15 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=9005 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8972 Federal forestry agency has developed a draft "State program for development of forestry in Russian Federation". As expected, there are no new ideas in the project, and it is very similar to the previously approved documents of "forest fantasy" style (The concept of development of forestry in Russian Federation for 2003 - 2010, Strategy of development of the forest complex of Russian Federation for the period up to 2002, etc.). There are no implementation mechanisms of good wishes outlined in the draft state program, the financial part of the program is not developed. As a whole the style and quality of the Program reminds a literature review from the student's thesis. See more in Russian here Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:12:17 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8972 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8971 March 25 and 31, 2011 Greenpeace will held seminars on the organization of small forest nurseries and volunteers' participation in reforestation anf afforestation (similar to that undertaken in the previous years). Both seminars will start at 19.00. See more information in Russian here Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:01:27 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8971 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8517 Planned increase of rowndwood export duties to the "prohibitive" level (80% for softwood, and birch ower 15cm in diameter) from Russia, which was postponed several times, is now completely abolished. In accordance with Government Decree of 29 December 2010 # 1190, next year the rates of export customs duties will remain at the current level, and further increases are no longer planned Sun, 02 Jan 2011 09:53:18 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8517 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8445 On December 15, 2010 in Sortavala (Karelia Republic) was held a meeting on the establishment of National Park "Ladoga Skerries" in the north-western coast and the islands of Lake Ladoga. Work on the creation of the park has been going on for nearly twenty years, the park was included into the government's program for creation of reserves and national parks until 2010, but has not been created yet. Under this program, and the project developed by Rosgiproles, the park should occupy an area of approximately 120,000 hectares. Projected National Park is unique area from the natural, historical and cultural points of view, it is abundant in rare natural ecosystems, rare plant and animal species. Also Ladoga Skerries is one of the most attractive territories for tourism development in European part of Russia. So far, the creation of the park hampered by a lack of concerted actions of Ministery of Natural Resources, the state authorities of Karelia and local governments of three administrative districts in the territory of which is situated the projected park. In order to improve the situation a meeting was convened on December 15. The meeting was attended by the President of the Republic of Karelia A.V. Nelidov, representatives of ministries and departments, heads of local governments of all three areas and environmental organizations. Governor proposed a solution - prepare the documents necessary for the establishment of a national park within the lands owned by Russian Federation (forest and water resources) as soon as possible, and assign the adjoining lands of other categories status of protected area of the national park. After discussion the proposed decision was accepted by all the participants of the meeting. A special working group of representatives from government bodies and public organizations was formed for monitoring the implementation of this decision Sun, 19 Dec 2010 21:41:39 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8445 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8408 Fire season on the natural areas of Russia, including forests, still is not finished. The burns of dry grass in the Caucasus mountains are ongoing; here and there they are turn into a small forest fires. In particular, the fire, the area of which amounted to several hundred hectares, was observed on December 11 at the border of the Stavropol Territory and the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia, seven kilometers to the southwest of Kislovodsk (according to fire information system FIRMS; the illustrations are on page in Russian: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8400&view=unread#unread). Than, the major burns of dry grass (in some areas they are also likely to pass into forest fires) occur in the highlands of Chechnya (three kilometers to the south-west of the settlement Selmentauzen), and the republic of North Ossetia - Alania (three kilometers to the south east of the Tarskoye). In addition, the smouldering of peat in the field of major fires of summer 2010 is still in progress. The peat heat source in Moscow, Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod, Sverdlovsk are known; probably, the smoldering continues in Tver and Ryazan regions. In general, the time-out between the fire season 2010 and 2011 not expected - almost certainly smoldering peat Meshchersky will stop (if it will be stopped at all) after the start of the season massive grass and reed fires in the southern regions of European Russia Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:58:17 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8408 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8401 Increasing export duties on raw timber from Russia to the "prohibitive" level, scheduled to January 1, 2011, is cancelled (or at least postponed for another year). This was reported by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at a press conference after his meeting with Finnish Prime Minister M. Kiviniemi, held on December 10, 2010. Increasing export duties on raw timber to the "prohibitive" level (making the export of "logs" in most cases deliberately unprofitable) initially was scheduled for January 1, 2009, then for January 1, 2010, then for January 1, 2011, the government made appropriate decisions, but each time increase was postponed. The latest decision in this regard was taken in December 2010. In accordance with Government Decree of 23 December 2009 N 1071, export duties on softwood and aspen, as well as on birch with a diameter of 15 cm, since January 1 2011 was planned to raise up to 80% but not less than 50 euros per cubic meter. Now export duties for unprocessed softwood and birch with a diameter greater than 15 cm is 25% but not less than 15 euros per cubic meter, and for aspen - 10% but not less than 5 euros. The text of document that cancells the increase of export fees duties on raw timber is not yet available Sat, 11 Dec 2010 23:00:16 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8401 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8391 Consideration of the next big set of amendments to the Russian Forest code (Bill N 358872-5 "On Amendments to the Forest Code of Russian Federation and other legislative acts of Russian Federation") is planned on the 21 of December, 2010. The bill was introduced into the State Duma by a group of deputies, headed by Chairman of the profile committee E. Tugolukov on the 14th of April and passed on the first reading on Oct. 6, 2010. Then the bill has been significantly expanded by the amendments, developed by the Government of Russian Federation in accordance with a president's instruction. Government amendments mainly relate to the forest fire protection, and to a lesser extent - other aspects of forest conservation and distribution of power between levels of government. Offered for the second reading version of the bill consists by about 6% from the original project, and by 94% - of the subsequent additions from the government. This fact fundamentally contradicts the Article 72 of the Constitution of Russian Federation. In accordance with this article the ownership, use and disposal of land, mineral resources, water and other natural resources, the implementation of measures to fight catastrophes, natural disasters, and forest legislation are under the joint jurisdiction of Russian Federation and subjects of Russian Federation. Generally the bill is much better developed than Forest code of 2006 and the previous set of amendments. Some errors from the intermediate versions of the bill have been fixed. In other circumstances (if the conceptual framework of the new Code is correct and suitable to our modern conditions, if related legislation is reasonable, if the system of state authorities, responsible for forest and related problems, doesn't suffer from bureaucracy and corruption..) these amendments could be called acceptable. But unfortunately, in current conditions we can be sure that these amendments will not work and the situation in the forestry sector will not change fundamentally. See more information in Russian: http://forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8389&view=unread#unread Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:37:43 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8391 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8390 The fifteenth International Exhibition-Fair "Russian Wood" was opened in Vologda on the 8th of December. Such exhibitions are held in Vologda annually since 1996. During the exhibition a series of seminars and other activities associated with the development of forest sector in Russia take place - the application of IT in forest sector, fight with illegal logging, the forest engineering, elimination of the consequences of wind throw and natural fires, the wooden house construction, development of school forestry and others. Also a workshop entitled "Nanotechnology in the forest sector - is a reality" will take place. Exhibition and Trade Fair will continue until the end of the week Thu, 09 Dec 2010 23:12:41 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8390 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8365 Designed by Ministry of Emergency draft federal law "On Volunteer Fire Service" can completely discredit the idea of volunteer firefighters and significantly slow down if not halt volunteer fire teams development. Under the bill, much of the functions of Ministry of Emergency and its subordinate organizations shall be shifted to volunteer firefighters. Responsibilities of volunteer firefighter under the proposed bill are fully comparable with the duties of staff members of state firefighters, and these responcibilities are listed clearly and unambiguously. But the provisions of the bill relating to the protection of the rights and interests of volunteer firefighters and their families in the proposed law are listed as recommendations or are not provided with mechanisms for implementation and funding. See details in Russian here Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:28:47 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8365 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8364 The Russian Government has no idea about what is happening in the forestry sector in Russia, and suggests that new forestry legislation encourages "a normal, civilized business." According to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the forest industry for many years was "a symbol of mismanagement", a gray zone, in which criminal people feel good, and smuggling flourished, and poaching - but now "we were able to overcome the situation". It was said in Khabarovsk, the center of the Far Eastern federal district, famous for the scale of illegal logging, timber smuggling, absence of any protection of forests, and other such "achievements". With these ideas about what is happening in Russian forestry, the government is unlikely to do anything to set up effective forest management. See details in Russian here Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:19:17 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8364 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8363 November 30, 2010 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has submitted to the State Duma a bill N 463704-5 "On Amendments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation." The bill provides for changes in the number of articles of the Criminal Code, including Article 260, that establishes criminal responsibility for illegal logging. These amendments eliminates the lower limit of the timing of corrective work or imprisonment as punishment for illegal logging. See details in Russian here Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:09:08 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8363 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=5120 Ministry of Agriculture of Russian Federation started preparation of new amendments to Forest code of Russian Federation. According to governmental plan, these amendments should not change the concept of Forest code. They should be presented to Government in June 2009, and it is expected that they will be adopted before end of 2009. The list of proposals from regional authorities is placed now at the web page of Ministry of agriculture. It includes proposals from 42 regions; some regions did not sent proposals yet, some answered that they have no proposals. Russian NGOs also presented proposals on changes of Forest code, prepared by experts from Greenpeace, WWF, Biodiversity conservation center, Russian bird conservation union etc. They are presented in special branch of forestforum.ru, and all proposals (including regional) can be discussed there. Next meeting of "big working group" on these amendments will happen on April 6 or 7. The group includes representatives from the ministry and other federal bodies, regional administrations, research and non-governmental organizations. See more information in Russian and links here: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5114 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:13:49 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=5120 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=5047 In many regions of Russia staff of forestry administrations did not get salary or got only partial salary for the beginning of this year. Preparation for forest fire season of 2009 and allocation of contracts for forestry works is partly delayed. Regional administrations that have to manage federal forests (all regions of Russia excepting Moscow, St. Petersburg and Moscow region) did not get funding for forest management from federal budget for 2009 due to mistake of federal government (change of rules for funding regional forestry authorities), and it is still unclear, when it will happen. See more information in Russian: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=503 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:36:20 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=5047 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=5046 President Medvedev has signed the federal law "Amendments to the Forest Code of Russian Federation and some legislative acts of Russian Federation" (draft law N 101334-5). Materials about this law (in Russian): viewtopic.php?f=21&t=4910 Preliminary summary for this law (in English): viewtopic.php?f=28&t=491 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:35:00 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=5046 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=5007 Deputy head of Federal forest service Michail Girjajev at the meeting of Public environmental council of Federal forest agency (March 5, 2009) has presented preliminary official results of Russian forestry in 2008. Below these preliminary official data are listed. Sun, 08 Mar 2009 14:59:38 +0300 http://www.forestforum.ru/viewtopic.php?t=5007