Cuttings in the Pushcha are going on…
The article by Irina Burnosenko,
Published in «Den» (The Day) Newspaper, #4,
January 17, 2002
These cuttings are the reason for the national scientists' and public calling for the delay of the European Diploma's prolongation.
This is an unprecedented event: ecologists are protesting against prolongation of the validity of one of the most prestigious European awards, granted to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park in 1997. Public figures of the country also joined the protest.
In December last year, our newspaper published in detail the situation of Belovezhskaya Pushcha — informing about the annihilation of the forest under the pretext of sanitary cuttings, about the numerous dismissals of employees from the reserve and about the new policy of the management. We allowed three conflicting parties to speak their mind: the director, a dismissed scientist and a man that devoted 50 years of his life to the Pushcha. At the same time, opinions about the possible consequences of this «new life» of the natural monument — withdrawal of the European diploma — have been noted.
However, more problems have been revealed in connection to this award. Some days ago the editorial office received a letter with the appeal of ecologists and public figures to the experts of the Council of Europe. They explained their opinion in regard to the prolongation of the European Diploma's validity.
«Everyone who signed the letter, including me, followed the idea that the prestigious award should be a mean of protecting and saving unique nature, and not a mean of covering those who grow rich at the expense of nature, as authorities considered during the five year probation period". That was the comment the appeal, made for "Den" Newspaper by Valery Dranchuk, chief editor of "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" Newspaper and representative of the Belarusian Green Association. It means we all understand how important this diploma is for the prestige of the country but if we consider the main purpose — preservation of the Pushcha -following rules and recommendations, providing real stimuli for conservation activities comes first".
According to Valery Dranchuk, in the last five years the unique forest was ruthlessly exploited. As local inhabitants tell, no other activities except cuttings are carried out there. The fame of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha is used only to harm to it. Our interlocutor is certain that «casual leaders of the Lukashenko Epoch work with the myth of the beautiful and primeval Pushcha just as communists did in the past».
Below are some quotations from the text of the appeal. We think that these are the essential ideas:
«Members of the Belarusian public, scientists and democrats, with deep concern for the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park discuss the prolongation of European Diploma's validity. This is a rather extraordinary case, since no one of us has doubts about the natural and cultural importance of this unique place on Earth. But the matter of concern is a different one. The European Diploma is valid for five years. Implementation of special rules and recommendations of the Council of Europe was an important test meant to establish whether the party that received the award followed the principles of nature conservation. Now the question is what consequences will follow if this very prestigious award, which gives encouragement and also responsibilities, will be prolonged with another 5 year validity term?
We, the ones signing below, followed the principle «do not do much harm». We want to prevent the Council of Europe, which is ready to prolong the validity of the prestigious award, from making a too optimistic assessment. We are not sure this prolongation would be a wise and objective decision or one that would promote activities beneficial to a unique natural heritage as the Belovezhskaya Pushcha. Most likely, and we want to say this openly, further prolongation of the international award will become a stimulation for the stable and vicious practices of nature exploitation in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha instead of protection. This award will completely allow the administration to continue economic activities on the territory of the Protected Forest. We consider these aspects a threat for the most important protected area from Belarus.
Quality of the natural reserve has decreased significantly. Rules and recommendations of the Diploma have not been implemented in the right proportion. The problems of Belovezhskaya Pushcha have not been subject for discussions with the public and were actually kept secret. Criticism was simply ignored. Relations became tense when problematic questions on protection and conservation of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha were asked. The authorities constantly avoid an open and honest dialogue, demonstrating their insincerity and their intention to deceive. To say the least, public interference and presence has not been welcomed or encouraged. The presidential administration for instance, refused participants at Green Peace Action «Press tours for support of Aarhus convention» permission to visit the National Park and gather information from primary sources.
The situation particularly changed for the worse in 2001 when harvesting of the forest within the protected area made progress and plans of sanitary clear cuttings spread. It is important to mention that these events took place immediately after the expert of the Council of Europe left the Belovezhskaya Pushcha in May of 2001. Industrial and timber harvesting activities have superseded even tiny efforts for protection and conservation of the Great Forest's biological diversity. We find it difficult to put these activities in line with ecological education and public relations.
There is a danger that Belarusian authorities will once again use international recognition, the European Diploma award, for speculative purposes namely for covering activities which are contrary both to the spirit of the Diploma and to the conservation of Belovezhskaya Pushcha.
We are convinced that a haste decision should not be taken. We ask you to postpone making the decision on prolonging the European Diploma's validity. We propose the organization of a control mission with participation of the public. Only then, after dialogue and a deeper expertise, we should make an objective decision. "
Is it possible that authorities permit independent experts to examine the Belovezhskaya Pushcha? There is little hope, because state commissions, in the case they will be created, follow directives from «above» and will probably confirm implementations of all rules which are necessary for prolongation of Diploma's validity. The result will be further industrial harvesting of the forest on the park's territory of the. Nevertheless, there is hope that at least the Council of Europe will share the opinion of the people signing this letter.
We have to add that those who signed this appeal are famous scientists, writers and activists. Among them are Radzim Garetzki, Academic of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Nil Gilevich, People's Poet of Belarus; Svetlana Alexeevich, writer; Alexey Mikulich, member of the International Academy of Ecology; Valentin Yazuhna, professor, member of the Belarusian Geographical Society; Nikolay Kartash, chairman of the Green Peace Party council; Zdislav Muravyev, member and veteran of the Nature Protection Society; Tatyana Prot'ka, Head of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee; Andrey Sannikov, international coordinator of Hartiya-97; Ales Belyacki, Head of the «Vesna» Belarusian Centre for Human Rights Protection. Finally the editorial staff of the "Den" Newspaper joins the signatories of the appeal.