Karelian nature protection organization "SPOK" sent to Moscow more than 250 republican dweller signatures to the letter for President Putin V.V. The letter is dealing with new Forest code problems, which threatens to all Russian forest management and could restrict citizen rites.

Particular anxiety is coursed by that new Forest code project does not provide reliable protection to first group forests or protected forests. Among such forests are town and village green zones, water protected forests, strictly protected reserves and national parks, forests along borders of tundra, steppe, mountain areas and other categories of especially valuable and important forests.
According to new Forest code it would be possible to log and build up protected forests near water bodes and towns. Also new Forest code makes possible to restrict citizen access to long-term rented forests by leasers.
In a few time after new code accepting in present view without changes, forest near water bodes, towns and using for the rest will be built up. And going to forests you could find barrier on a road. You won't be able to gather berries and mushrooms at your preferred places.
If you did not sign this letter, you could help if you also turn to the President Putin with request of new Forest code project revising. Text of the letter and President Administration address you could find at http://spok.onego.ru/24105_1.html (in Russian). You also could send the letter to the President via Internet - http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/articles/send_letter_Eng1a.shtml.