Knowledge Base

Here you can find Pavel Pashkov’s answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Is it necessary to write to government authorities if the responses are just formalities?Why don't petitions to protect wildlife work?What do studies say about fires and roads?What do we need to do to have a global impact on environmental issues?Why do bears approach humans, and is it related to pine nuts?Is it true that forests in Russia are only increasing?How can an ordinary person help wildlife?What is the Concept of Territories of Full Ecological Tranquility (TFET) and how does it differ from the existing global protected area system?How do roads affect the integrity of the taiga?What are ancient forests?What are Public Initiatives and how do they help protect nature?What is the 'Green Page' and why is it needed?How many bears are there in Russia overall?Why do we need our online Earth observation station?The increase in quotas for bear hunting coincided with the expansion of the sports hunting industryHow do ancient forests affect the climate?Why bears and how is the register organized?Interactive map of the Territories of Full Ecological Tranquility (TFET)How is the area of Russia's intact forest landscapes changing?What do we propose to solve the problem?How should we protect nature to achieve real change?They want to allow bears to be killed all winter during hibernationWhat threat has emerged for the reserves?Why am I against planting forests in "rows" and critical of modern reforestation?

What threat has emerged for the reserves?

Hundreds of Russian scientists and experts are speaking out against the weakening of Russia's reserve system! In April 2026, 120 scientists and public figures appealed to the President of the country, and on 14 October, another 106 specialists sent an appeal to all 450 State Duma deputies. Among the signatories are RAS academicians, leading biologists, ecologists, and distinguished scientists. The main threat is draft law No. 1096223-8, which the State Duma passed in the first reading on 18 March 2026. It provides mechanisms for changing the boundaries of specially protected natural areas, excluding lands from them, and placing economic facilities. Scientists warn that this poses a threat of industrial development of reserves, deforestation of ancient forests, and destruction of the last refuges of wildlife. The law has not yet been finally adopted. However, the pressure has been ongoing for many years! The protective regimes of reserves are changing, opportunities for building tourist infrastructure are expanding, there are projects for gold mining near the Sikhote-Alin Reserve, and disputes over the development of Lago-Naki and the protection of Baikal continue. In 2026, a large-scale reorganization of the management of federal reserve territories was also proposed. Russian scientists directly warn: further weakening of environmental legislation threatens the integrity of the entire reserve system of the country. We believe that today it is necessary to strengthen existing reserves, expand areas of strict protection, and preserve the remaining large natural ecosystems of the Ancient Forests. In October, 106 figures in science and nature conservation appealed to deputies with proposals to revise the document. They pointed out the danger of excluding protected areas and placing objects that could damage natural complexes. The discussion is about the risks identified by specialists, not that such changes have already occurred in all reserves. Preserving the boundaries and protection regime is important for the integrity of ancient forests and animal habitats.
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