SIKHOTE * ALIN APOSTASY CONTINUES

On the request sent to Khabarovsk region prosecutor answer came that no official agreement with Rinbunan Hijau company was signed on the rent of Sikhote-Alin forest area for logging and thus no prosecutor actions could be taken, as there was no subject for it. Nevertheless< as far as we know, the equipment for logging was already sent to the area mentioned by Rambutan company, and the whole process was stopped only due to the Asian financial crisis.

SOCHI NATIONAL PARK CELEBRATES 15th ANNIVERSARY

Today Sochi national park occupies 190 ha on the South East side of Bolshoi Caucasus. The climatic conditions varies from colorful subtropics to rough highlands. National park boasts 3 thousand plant and 250 vertebrates species. Recently the park development program for years 1998 - 2000 was approved, providing creation forest tourist routes. A number of business plans providing development of the most interesting forests on the Caucasus Black Sea coast. But all these plans need start investment of some 50-60- thousand dollars each.

SETTING STANDARTS FOR TIMBER MARKET

Russian Federation Ministry of Economy issued recommendations "On marking round wood and saw wood", generalizing russian and international experience in the issue. Recommendations were followed by letter to timber industry and timber trade leaders asking to consider the possibility if using marking methods presented in the recommendations and submit proposals on mandatory marking introduction for export timber on the following:

• indicating place of timber origin and providing tracebility of the timber
• using the results of mandatory certification of timber sold on the stand on all processing and production stages, thus avoiding doubling of the mandatory origin, legal, sanitary certification
• providing for indication of producers, trade companies and/or expert groups, responsible for the amount and quality of timber
• providing customers information
• providing state watch on the timber trade
• providing for the timber inventory in the enterprise store

THE FOREST MUSEUM IN MOSCOW OPENS DURING THE FOREST DEPARTMENT 200 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Now Moscow can boast new museum - Russian Forest Museum, officially open during the celebration 200 years of Russian Forest Department. The exhibition contains woodcarving, sculptures, musical instruments, old household things, wood collection containing 870 pieces, as well as donations from scientists, NGOs and forestry veterans.

MORE FOREST CONSERVATION FOR ARKHANGELSK REGION

Today Arkhangelsk region has around 8.7 % of its territory under protected areas. Among the most well-known parks are Kenozersky, Vodlozersky and Pinezhsky zapovednik. The number of protected territories is growing. This year decision on creation of Primorsky nature park was made, it will be controlled by regional forest department and Environment protection department. The activities on the other park - "Onezhskoye pomorye" - creation are at full speed.

Right now creation of specially protected territory at Belomorsko-Kuloisky Plato is considered, and international expedition on the issue study started on August 10. One should know that international environmental community participates actively in the environmental studies and conservation activities within the region

Issued by:

• V. Zakharov forestnews@glasnet.ru
• Z. Garkun zng@glasnet.ru
• O. Berlova press@cci.glasnet.ru