25 December 2012, 13:00
Chechnya bans felling coniferous trees
The authorities imposed a complete ban on felling spruce and pine trees in Chechnya; the forests of these trees are guarded round the clock, said the republic's Department of Forestry. However, people can easily by live spruces in the streets of major cities and towns; they are brought to Chechnya from neighbouring regions.
"On the eve of the New Year, the cases of illegal felling of coniferous trees have increased dramatically; therefore the cutting of spruce and pine trees in our republic is completely prohibited. However, there are still people, engaged in cutting spruces and pines," said the spokesman of the above Department.
According to his story, mostly spruce and pine trees are felled for sale. "We are mostly indignant with the fact that they cut a many-meter long tree in order to cut its top of one and a half or two meters long."
"On the average I get two or three thousand roubles per tree. This is quite profitable," a local businessman named Isa told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
Most people prefer to buy artificial (plastic) Christmas trees, as the staff of shops and retail outlets selling Christmas paraphernalia asserts. "An artificial New Year Tree costs less and looks good. Moreover, it can be used for years," said Toyita S., a shop owner in Grozny.
Author: Muslim Ibragimov Source: CK correspondent
