Head of Forestry Administration of Adygea finds Khatukai's accusation of negligence erroneous

Rashid Belmekhov, head of the Forestry Administration of Adygea, has treated the accusation of negligence moved against Madzhit Khatukai, head of the Maikop Forestry, as undeserved attitude and a mistake.

"The head of the Maikop Forestry Madzhit Khatukai has worked in the forestry for more than 30 years; he is the Merited Forester of Russia and one of the most active foresters in the republic country," said Mr Belmekhov.

Let us remind you that in early January 2011 the prosecutor's office of the republic approved the indictment on the criminal charge of negligence entailing substantial harm to ecology of Northern Caucasus against Madzhit Khatukai, head of the subdivision named "Maikop Forestry" of the Forestry Administration of the Republic of Adygea. According to official data, his negligence had caused the damage worth over 230 million roubles.

The Forestry is located within the monument of nature "Upstream of Pshekha and Pshekhashkha Rivers", which is included into the UNESCO's list of World Natural Heritage in nomination "Western Caucasus".

"According to investigators, on the basis of the documents coordinated with Khatukai, an entrepreneur from the Apsheron District of the Krasnodar Territory cut trees on slopes over 35 degrees by using the method of wood skidding by heavy tractors, prohibited by the law," said Sergey Mitusov, Senior Assistant of the Public Prosecutor of Adygea.

At the same time, Belmekhov believes that "under Madzhit Khatukai's command only sanitary felling was made, while the unauthorized felling was made by someone else; however, the charges were presented to Khatukai."

The environment protection centre "NABU-Kavkaz" has noted that unauthorized tree felling in protected natural territories of Adygea is registered from time to time.

"This is evident from the continuous monitoring of forest condition conducted by out centre," the "NABU" noted. "The cuts are documented as 'sanitary', but virgin healthy forests are cut."

Svetlana Derziyan, Director of the "NABU-Kavkaz" Centre, said that "the territory of the nature monument 'Upstream of Pshekha and Pshekhashkha Rivers', which has area of 5800 hectares, is covered with etalon beech-fir forests, unique by age and quality."

"Of course, these old trees cost a lot. However, this forest is not just trees; it's an entire ecosystem that provides shelter and life to thousands of relict insects, birds and plants. If there are no forests - there will be no life in these unique territories," explained Ms Derziyan.

She also noted that the "NABU-Kavkaz" also advocates development of natural areas of Adygea, but in a civilized way only.