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Table of content:
LEGEND OF RUSSIA WILL BE CLUED
The legendary Russian taiga - the world's largest forest- is not the
virtually endless wilderness it is often thought to be. Only about a
quarter remains in large roadless areas that are undisturbed by modern
land use, says a new report released today in Moscow and Washington by
Global Forest Watch (GFW).
The Atlas of Russia's Intact Forest Landscapes will be presented to
international public in April was produced by GFW Russia, a
country-wide non-governmental network of major environmental and
research organizations. GFW Russia has carried out a systematic and
detailed inventory of Russia's entire forest zone, looking for
disturbances such as logging, mining, and associated roads and fires.
Thousands of satellite images were used along with hundreds of ground
observations to verify the result. Some field expeditions spent weeks
in roadless territory in search of intact wilderness.
"Intactness can not be artificially restored," says Alexey Yaroshenko
of Greenpeace Russia, one of the authors of the atlas, "Disturbances
are virtually irreversible. Most of the world's forest is already
either destroyed or disturbed. Responsible land users should be extra
careful before entering any of the remaining intact landscapes."
"If you don't map it you can't manage it", says Dmitry Aksenov of the
Socio-Ecological Union International, another author, "Governments and
corporations don't collect this information. This is why Global Forest
Watch has to do it."
The result is a practical guide to precaution. More than a hundred
detailed maps (mostly in the scale of 1:1.5 million) are used to
present the precise boundaries of Russia's remaining intact forest
landscapes.
A total of 289 million hectares (26 percent) of Russia's forests
remain in areas that have no signs of infrastructure or modern land,
and are at least 50,000 hectares (123,500 acres) in size (intact
forest landscapes).
Approximately 5 percent of the intact forest landscapes have special
protection at the Federal level. The system of protected areas in most
administrative regions and ecological regions of Russia is inadequate
in representation and size to reflect the conservation needs of intact
forest landscapes.
Eastern Siberia is the most pristine with 39 percent of the forest
zone in intact forest landscapes, followed by the Russian Far East (30
percent) and Western Siberia (25 percent). European Russia is by far
the least pristine with only 9 percent intact. Anthropogenic fire
regimes affect large areas in northern Siberia and the Far East.
A belt across southern Russia is the most affected by modern land use.
Temperate broad-leafed and mixed conifer-broad-leafed forests are at
special risk. Intact forest landscapes may disappear within whole
ecological regions or even vegetation zones without decisive action
during the next few years.
"This Atlas breaks new ground," says author Alexander Isaev, member of
the Russian Academy of Sciences, forest minister of the USSR in the
Gorbachev administration, "Russia is the first country to document its
forest heritage in this way. Other countries must follow, so that we
get a global picture."
The organizations behind Global Forest Watch Russia include Greenpeace
Russia, Socio-Ecological Union International, Biodiversity
Conservation Center, International Forest Institute, R&D Center
ScanEx, and Transparent World (all Moscow), the Fund for 21st Century
Altai (Barnaul), the Friends of the Siberian Forests (Krasnoyarsk),
and the Bureau for Public Outreach Campaigns (Vladivostok). Global
Forest Watch is an initiative of the World Resources Institute in
Washington, DC.
The work has been supported by the home furnishing company IKEA, the
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Turner
Foundation, and the World Resources Institute. The work has benefited
from software donated by Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc.
and ERDAS Inc.
Global Forest Watch Russia is an informal, country-wide network of
civil society and research organizations from all corners of Russia.
The goal of GFW Russia is to improve the conservation and use of
Russia's forest landscapes by providing decision-makers and the
general public with accurate, accessible and practically useful
information. No advocacy work is allowed under the GFW Russia name,
and all reports must undergo rigorous scientific review. GFW Russia
was founded in 1999 in Krasnoyarsk.
Atlas of Russia’s Intact Forest Landscapes:
http://www.forest.ru/eng/publications/intact
Contacts: Dmitry Aksenov, picea@online.ru
GREENPEACE PROTESTS AGAINST ANCIENT FOREST DESTRUCTION
AT SAWMILL IN RUSSIA
Archangelsk, Russia 25 March 2002. Greenpeace activists this morning
protested against the ongoing destruction of Russia's last ancient
forests at the Solombalski sawmill (SLDK) in the Russian port of
Archangelsk in the White Sea. The environmentalists, including two
Germans and three Austrians, climbed onto the roof of the sawmill,
chained themselves to the front gates and unfurled German and Russian
banners reading "Take responsibility: Save the ancient forests".
The Solombalski Sawmill processes timber derived from the last ancient
forests of European Russia, mainly the Dvinsky ancient forest. Of the
more than 250,000 cubic metres of sawn timber produced each year, two
thirds are being exported, much of it to Germany. Stretching over 1.5
million hectares, the Dvinsky ancient forest is one of the largest
pristine ancient forests in Europe. Located 300 kilometres southeast
of Archangelsk, it is one of the last remaining natural habitats for
animal species threatened with extinction like brown bears.
"All countries that import ancient forest timber are partially
responsible for their destruction, Germany is especially accountable
in this case," said Oliver Salge, Greenpeace Forests Campaigner.
"Ancient forest destruction is stripping the inhabitants of the
Archangelsk region of their last hope for the future. If we want to
protect the many animals and plants in Europe´s pristine ancient
forests, we have to save their habitat. European governments, and
certainly the German Government, must urgently support the protection
of ancient forests at the Ancient Forests Summit in The Hague."
Greenpeace is carrying out protests in Europe and around the world to
highlight the crisis the world's last ancient forests are facing.
Recently held it's first protest ever at the Great Wall of China.
Currently there are activists blocking the unloading of a timber
shipment in Salerno, Italy and stopping logging operations in
Gothenburg, Sweden. In the last weeks, the organisation has protested
in Spain, France, Italy, Chile, The Netherlands, Switzerland, the US
and Germany.
Greenpeace is urging governments of all importing countries to bring
an immediate end to their role in the destruction of ancient forests
by committing to stop further industrial activities in intact ancient
forests until responsible plans for forest conservation and
sustainable use have been agreed; ensuring that timber is produced and
traded in a legal and ecologically responsible way and providing at
least US$15 billion each year to pay for forest conservation and
sustainable development.
RUSSIAN-FINNISH FOREST SUMMIT
The prime ministers of Finland and Russia met in the beginning of
March to discuss increased cooperation between the two countries’
forest sectors. NGO representatives managed to take part in parts of
the summit. The Russian NGOs weren’t officially invited, but some
representatives managed to visit the meeting as parts of other
delegations. Russian Prime Minister Mr. Kasyanov was quite specific
and announced thatRussia would like to have more order at the border
customs, more trade transparency to eliminate one-day existing firms,
more Finnish investment in general and especially into deep wood
processing and forestry machinery construction as results of the
Russian-Finnish cooperation. Finnish Prime minister Lipponen was very
cautious and did not object to these proposals but stressed that the
Finnish government stressed that it also is interested in the
promotion of sustainable forestry and nature conservation (including a
possibility of the swap of Russian debt to Finland into nature
conservation projects).
Mikhail Karpachevsky from the Biodiversity Conservation Center stated
at the summit that the Russian NGOs are not satisfied with the
efficiency of the previous Russian-Finnish cooperation with regards to
nature conservation. An example was the problem of the proposed
Kalevala national park, which, after years of invcestigations and
negotiations, still isn’t created with the agreed borders.
The vast majority of Russia's $3.1 billion in exports to Finland in
2001 were commodities: Oil, gas and coal accounted for 63 percent
while raw materials, including 12.5 million cubic meters of timber, 17
percent. Meanwhile, 77 percent of imports from Finland were machinery
and equipment and manufactured goods, such as clothing and furniture.
Russia accounts for roughly 20 percent of Finland's raw timber needs.
Contact: Mikhail Karpachevsky, BCC, forest@bcc.seu.ru
POLARIA PROMISES TO SAVE VALUABLE FORESTS
The obligations of the leading European timber companies not to use
undisturbed forests still remains a practical tool for saving of such
forests in the North-West of Russia.
Recently the general director of Polaria timber company and the
coordinator of the Kola Biodiversity Conservation Center signed "The
minutes of the coordination of forest preservation and use in the area
of the responsibility of Polaria".
In November, 2001 the Kola center found out that Polaria harvests wood
in the massifs of untouched forests Tennioyoki and Rakhmoyva in the
Kandalaksha region of Murmansk oblast (region), near the
Russian-Finland border.
In 1993 the administration of the Kandalaksha region recognized high
value of this nature area and offered to create the natural protected
area there.
In 1996 at conference in Rovaniyemi (Finland) representatives of the
Russian and Finnish nature protection offices have decided to esteem
both of the massifs as potential objects for the Green belt of
Fennoscandia - projected international system of natural reserves. The
massifs of Tennioyoki and Rakhmoyva were included in the list of
potentially untouched forests by the Russian NGOs Forest Club.
In the second half of 1990's the leading European timber companies
including Stora-Enso, UPM-Kummene, Metsaliitto claimed that they would
not use timber from untouched forests of Murmansk oblast (region) and
Republic of Karelia, till all the stake-holders come to the compromise
on the preservation and rational use of wood resources in
controversial areas.
In 2001 Polaria planned to cut down about 13 thousand cubic-meters of
timber in Tennioyoki and Rakhmoyva forest massifs. This turned out to
be a good test for the company leading among those trying to be
environmentally sound - Stora-Enso. Because Polaria exported all the
timber to Finland to Stora-Enso's pulp and paper plant in Kemiyarvie.
Kola Biodiversity Conservation Center tried to negotiate with Polaria
to solve the conflict. But the Polaria's management and their
permanent Finnish partner Fromlog Ky ignored these proposals.
Nature protection organizations (The Taiga Rescue Network, Kola
Biodiversity Conservation Center, Greenpeace Russia, Finnish Nature
League) addressed Finnish timber enterprises with the request not to
purchase timber, exported by Polaria.
By the end of December, 2001 Polaria and Fromlog Ky found themselves
in full isolation on the Finnish timber-market.
The document that was recently signed by Polaria was a result of
careful analysis of nature protection and economical aspects of this
situation and discussions between the company and the members of the
Russian Forest Club.
In opinion of the ecologists participated in the process, this
document fully corresponds to the purposes of the Forest club's
campaign for conservation of the undisturbed forests.
CUTTING DOWN OF FUR-TREE IS A REASON FOR ARREST
In Kazakhstan the committee of timber, fishing and hunting economies
of Almatinsky region has issued the order, which forbids cutting of
tyan-shanian fur-tree: "About measures on preservation of mountain
woods in Zailiysky and Dzungarian Ala Tau of Almatinsky region".
Such interdiction was already imposed about 15 years ago. Last year's
researches of the committee have shown, that the fur-tree forests near
the roads are almost disappeared.
According to the order sanitary cuttings are allowed, but approval of
the state ecological examination and sanction of the committee are
required. "Tyan-shan fur-tree grows only in Kazakhstan and Kirghizia.
Our neighbors, Kirghiz, have forbidden the cuttings of fur-tree long
time ago, - Igor Coval, the vice-president of Kazakhstan committee of
timber, fishing and hunting economies, says. - These trees help to
prevent erosion, it is not just a source of wood. Punishment for
cutting down of 10-15 cubic meters of wood can be up to five years of
prison". According to the order of the committee, for example, if one
cuts down a fur-tree, he must pay really much money (more than
conventional fine).
It is not determined yet how many years this order will be in force.
In the long term the committee is going to offer the Kazakhstan
government to officially recognize these forests like anti-erosion.
TADJIK RESERVES TO BE IN CHARGE OF PRESIDENT
Now there are 4 reserves in Tadjikistan. Unfortunately, all of them
are in an awful condition. Because of that the ecological
non-governmental organizations of Tadjikistan repeatedly appealed to
state administrations to change this situation.
The state inspection of the Ministry of Nature Protection proposed
that the problems of natural protected areas would be solved only by
the President's administration. It is suggested to transmit all the
protected areas to the management of the President's team.
One of the most famous reserves of Tadjikistan and former Soviet Union
is "Tigrovaya Balka" located on the border with Afghanistan. It was
created in 1938 on the area of 49,9 thousand hectares. "Tigrovaya
Balka" is the only place on Earth, where such a large desert- forest
complex of dry subtropics still exists.
There are 5 kinds of fish and 10 kinds of reptiles brought in the Red
Book. Now Tigrovaya Balka" is proposed for the UNESCO World Heritage
List.
The staff of the reservation is only 28 persons. The scientific
department doesn't operate since 1990's because its material and
technical base is weak. The activity of fire station isn't financed
any more. Because of that during last 10-15 years annual fires put a
large loss for animal and flora of "Tigrovaya Balka". Now the
ecosystems of the reserve are close to degradation, and the number of
animals is disastrously reduced.
For the reasons mentioned above, now it is decided to transfer
protected areas to the president's administration control. Could this
measures solve the problem? In another former Soviet republic -
Belorussia - the reservations also were taken under the control of
president's administration. As a result they are turned into the model
timber enterprises and hunting economies. But, it is clear that the
purpose of creation of especially protected areas is protection of
nature rather than organization of 'royal" huntings or production of
parquet.
For further information:
Timur Idrisov, For Earth, Dushanbe, Tadjikistan, forearth@yandex.ru
JUNIPER IS UNDER THREAT
Zeraphshansky juniper brought in the Red Book of Tadjikistan, can be
virtually exterminated in this country. According to Ibrokhim
Bobokalonov, the chief of the inspection of the Ministry of Nature
Protection, in the territories of Regarsky timber enterprise more than
1,5 thousand and in Ganchinsky timber enterprise - about 3 thousand
juniper arbors were cut down.
In most cases the workers of timber enterprise participate in cutting
down forest or it occurs from their sanction. Only lately the sum of
the fines imposed by supervisors of the Ministry counts thousands of
dollars which is really huge sum of money for Tadjikistan.
LUZALES IS WILLING TO BE CERTIFIED
Luzales company belonging to Chovyules forest industrial group
submitted an application for certification the full chain of timber
production according to FSC criteria.
Chain certification is the second stage of the certification process
that allows company to use the FSC logo and sold its production as FSC
certified. The first stage is certification of forest management that
confirms the forestry practice match environmental, social and
economic requirements. Only a forest owner who produces unprocessed
timber could obtain the primary FSC certificate. In modern Russia "a
forest owner" is a state forestry division or a long-term (not less
than 10 years) leaseholder. The whole responsibility for forestry in a
certified territory lays on the owner.
In the case of Luzales the first stage was the certification of
Priluzski forestry division. Smartwood company (USA) during the test
certification procedure in 1999 indicated main failures in forestry
and stated 11 preliminary clauses to enter the certification process.
Now the accomplishment of these clauses is close to the end, and the
final decision of certifies is awaiting soon.
But even a successful certification of Priluzski forestry division
doesn't allow timber enterprises working at its territory to sell
their timber as FSC certified. The enterprise should proof the auditor
that during the transportation or processing the certified timber
isn't mixed up with the non-certified. Luzales is ready to go through
the procedure. Noshulsky LZK company also working at Priluzski
forestry division proclaimed its intention to submit the application
for chain certification too.
It's notable that environmentally sensitive market is widening now. So
obtaining of the FSC certificate will allow timber enterprises of the
region to seize new markets for them that would result in sustainable
economic growth in the Republic of Komi.
EUROPEAN BIODIVERSITY DEPENDS ON RUSSIAN OLD-GROWTH FORESTS
The participants of II International Conference on European
Biodiversity was held in Budapest last month worked out the joint
position which would be represented at international fora including
Rio+10 summit in Johannesburg. The Conference brought together
officials of EU and European countries and NGO representatives (WWF,
IUCN, Greenpeace and Ecoforum group).
It was discovered that the most important problems for Europe are
sustainable forestry, GMOs and agrobiodiversity conservation. The
participants also noticed that biodiversity conservation projects
should be obligatory incorporated in projects exploiting nature
resources, and need to be made attractive for banks and other
investors. A necessity of "ecosystem approach" to environment
protection was also underlined.
It's evident that Europe and Russia have different hot spots in nature
protection. Some mechanisms of biodiversity conservation are so
familiar for the Europeans that they often think that they work
everywhere, included in state and business policies. Unfortunately in
Russia it is different, and NGOs pointed to this fact. So the final
document contains NGOs' proposals on old-growth forest protection,
support of FSC certification procedures and fight against illegal
logging. The participants noted that the proposals were very
important, because European biodiversity heavily depends on Russian
environment.
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Forest Club model projects and sites
