Forest of discord: protectors build barricades

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Published: 19 July, 2010, 16:11
Edited: 26 August, 2010, 18:55

Khimki forest champions (pictured) standing beside felled trees (RIA Novosti / Alexander Vilf)

TAGS: Conflict, Ecology, Russia, Protest

Environmental protection activists say they are building barricades to stop construction vehicles, which are to start clearing the land for a future road between Moscow and St. Petersburg.

“This night we’ve barricaded off our camp and all entrances to stop equipment. No matter what papers the workers will have with them, they’ll not be chopping trees there,” commented Evgenia Chirikova, leader of the protestors.

Earlier the appeal bar of the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Russian government, which ordered the Khimki forest near Moscow to be stripped of its protected status. The move was needed to construct a speedway to St. Petersburg through the land.

The ruling opened the way for construction works, which were due to be resumed on July 15, however activists forced the lumberjacks out shortly after they started cutting the trees and camped on the site to prevent further works.

A number of environmental organizations including Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Foundation as well as citizens of the city of Khimki, protested against the planned deforesting. According to the Russian Public Chamber, the number of opponents is at least 20,000.

Meanwhile Transport Minister Igor Litvin said last Friday that the ministry may freeze construction of new roads in 2011 due to lack of financing. He said they need thrice as much money as they currently have on the budget.

The Khimki forest occupies some 10 square kilometers between Moscow and Khimki, a major petrochemical production centre.