THE Russian branch of Greenpeace has launched a campaign for a more rational use of forests, Russia's greatest assets. The former Soviet Union occupies one sixth of the world's land surface, much of which is covered by evergreen trees. Yet the plumpest, best-shaped firs at the Moscow market are imported from Denmark and cost US $50 per metre, the equivalent of a month's salary for an average Russian. "We could grow our own trees much more cheaply but we are badly organised," said Igor Babanin, one of
Greenpeace's forest defenders.
Last new year, Babanin patrolled commuter trains along with state forestry inspectors and fined citizens coming into town with illegally felled firs. "Most of the people were innocent. They had just bought the trees from cowboy operators," said Babanin.
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