BELOVEZHSKAYA PUSHCHA
The article by Anna Artyushkevich,
Published in «Narodnaya Volya» (The People's Will) Newspaper, #131,
July 6, 2002
«If I do not visit the Pushcha for one or two months, I start to feel ill…»
Ten years ago the Belovezhskaya Pushcha was nominated as part of the World Natural Heritage.
Today that part of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha, which is situated within the territory of Belarus, is in danger. The interlocutor of the «The People's Will» journalist, is Valery Dranchuk, winner of the Henri Ford European Award and author of a series of articles concerning the protection of natural environment.
«Pushcha's well-known scientist and ornithologist, descendant of the locals, man of principles and courage Vladimir Dackevich, was one of the first who told me about what was going on in these woods», Valery Dranchuk started. «It hurt even more finding out that the absurd exploitation of the Pushcha has got a legal base over the last years, and that the plan-directive stipulates
— But shouldn't economic activity in the Pushcha be strictly limited?
— Certainly. According to the law, «advanced achievements of environmental research» should be the base for its management. Belovezhskaya Pushcha is
— What do you think, should the Pushcha be open for mass tourism or not?
— As the protected game ground (Belovezhskaya Pushcha has had this status in the past), changed the status, scientists — first of all Mr. Sushchenya, Parfenov, Zhukov and others — offered to create the necessary Reserve structures. That would have been a way to bring Pushcha out to light. It is desirable to learn from other countries which have reserves and protected territories. For example, in Great Britain several protected territories are under the jurisdiction of ecological organizations, and not of the state administration.
— What perspectives are there for the Pushcha, in the opinion of scientists?
— In the Pushcha the science is almost absent today. There are no financial means for conducting serious research.
— Did scientists raise protest?
— Certainly, but who listens to them? Mr. Parfenov, the academician, expert in matters concerning the Belovezhskaya Pushcha, has said many clever words about its protection. I heard them myself, but eventually he understood that there is no sense to speak.
— What if the number of such scientists accounted to ten, twenty, a hundred …?
— If …
… Here I would like to recall my decision of bringing in the Christmas TV program a beautiful interview about the Belovezhskaya Pushcha some years ago. Ivan Titenkov wanted to give an interview for this program (I actually have the video cassette with this interview). Mr. Titenkov did not conceal that his task is to make as much profit from the Pushcha as possible, and he told about the fast growing perspectives of tourism in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, about the construction of expensive facilities and so on. When I showed interest in the possible negative effects on the Pushcha, Ivan Ivanovich was frankly surprised and it became obvious that he knew little about the importance of this surprising forest. I have warned Mr. Titenkov that I will continue the interview at the Academy of Sciences, which studies the Pushcha, and that I wanted to discuss the development programme with the academicians. But Ivan Ivanovich, apparently, turned a deaf ear to this.
Then I talked with scientists and they challenged much of that politics which was the objective of the Property Management Department of the Pushcha. The day after the interview went on TV, an official representative of the Property Management Department has informed me by phone that Ivan Ivanovich was offended by the program. «But I warned you, there will be arguments about this», I said surprised. «You do not understand the present situation», the representative has said, and maliciously added «The Academicians challenged Ivan Ivanovich because they fattened in the Pushcha earlier. And by the way, one of them already excused himself this morning».
I then called this scientist and he coldly said that I have «exposed» them in the TV program. «But you knew that there will be arguments», I have reminded. «Maybe, you do not have confidence in your words! » The scientist thought and then said: «I can sign under each word, but what was the idea of making it look like we argued with Mr. Titenkov?».
— Does Belovezhskaya Pushcha have any luck …?
— It does not have luck since Soviet times, Mr. Drancuk noticed and added: the forester and entomologist Jan Erzy Karpinsky was director of the Pushcha before Bolsheviks took power. What a personality! He wrote music, lyrics. He left a wonderful heritage of photos — they are the best pictures concerning the Belovezhskaya Pushcha of all available ones. But Mr. Karpinsky was a great scientist and outstanding organizer first of all. He lived for the Pushcha. He loved the Pushcha. He saved it by involving his heart, his social position and status of director. Owing to him science and culture were owners of the Pushcha. And later also there were good leaders, who rescued the Pushcha from vandalization. But today it is under management of people such as Mr. Zhukov and Bambiza, which are «inveterate timber harvesters». The first one has constructed a new sawmill, the other one attempted to start the clear sanitary cuttings last year. I would relate both actions to ecological terrorism.
— And what is the situation in the Polish part of the Pushcha?
— Today the situation is much more humane there. A lot of literature is issued; there is a high level of management and of nature protection. Since long, Poles have understood the value of Pushcha and have had good initiatives. Europe already gives out grants to them so that they share their experience with us, for example, in developing ecological tourism.
— Will they teach us not to cut the Pushcha as well?
— Yes, they actually do. When I attended such seminars, I felt a complete idiot.
While commonsense matters dinned in my head, in Minsk an official would sign the sanction for clear sanitary cutting. I am not offending the Poles, it is just pity for my country…
— If the Pushcha is recognized as a World Heritage Site, should it be open for international science?
— Indeed, is it really impossible to make it so that scientists and European and international nongovernmental organizations put into practice «green» programs in the Pushcha?
— Who can and who must protect Belovezhskaya Pushcha today?
— First of all we must. According to our Constitution, it is a direct duty of all citizens of Belarus. And looking closely - they are the local inhabitants, mass-media, scientists, law enforcers … I think that, in principle, Pushcha should belong to four institutions: scientific, cultural, educational, and — without a doubt — to a council of the local people. But all this is possible only in a democratic society. And today it is necessary to protect Pushcha from the authorities.
— Do you think that next generations, in judging our actions, will analyze whether we have saved Pushcha as the relic forest, symbol of Belarus and a part of the nation's soul?
— The last example. A woman calls me trying to get some information: how to get to Belovezhskaya Pushcha, what to look for, whom to meet and so on. I started asking in turn and prompted her: what was the idea of the trip? She said: «There should be something in life that warms our hearts. We believe it is the Pushcha». I hope the majority of our compatriots think so too. And I am troubled by a question: will the Pushcha be able to warm my grandsons« hearts only with its remains? I am afraid it will not. That is why it is necessary to rescue the Pushcha with efforts from all over the world as quickly as possible. By the way, what kind of energy do you think exists here? Throughout centuries to this day, there has been something here in the Pushcha, something we can not explain, not even today. Some of us do not even suspect it at all. Maybe, this riddle is the object of future researches only. If I do not visit the Pushcha for one or two months, I start to feel ill and to long for the Pushcha! Pushcha is a unique place and we have the duty to protect it!