Ecologists manage to stop build-up of Mamay Forest in Stavropol

The Stavropol Interregional Ecological Prosecutor's Office has dismissed the decision of the Administration of Stavropol to cut and build up the Mamay Forest, which was defended by the city public.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 7, 2010, a picket was held in the centre of Stavropol on the Castle Hill, which brought together more than 500 residents of Stavropol, Nevinnomyssk and Izobilnoe District. The protesters demanded to stop cuttings in the Mamay Forest and stop liquidation of the Russian and Taman Forests, located within the boundaries of the territorial capital.

"At land allocating for build-up in the Mamay Forest, it was revealed that the statements of the Stavropol City Administration were contradictory to the Forest and Land Codes of the Russian Federation," said the answer of the Prosecutor's Office.

Besides, the interview of the Governor of the Stavropol Territory Valery Gaevskiy contained information that statements on construction in other forests of the Stavropol Territory had been cancelled.

In the course of the public campaign, organized by the "Stavropol Ecological Watch" 8 rallies and pickets were held; 3750 signatures were collected on the letter to President Dmitry Medvedev. The press, radio and television were involved; forums were held on the Internet; and applications were filed to the Territorial Prosecutor's Office and various ecological regulatory authorities.

Earlier, the "Caucasian Knot" has reported that ecologists in Stavropol demand that the authorities plant 30,000 young trees instead of the 10,000 ones cut down in the Mamay Forest.