State natural forest reservation "Big Utrish" is located in Krasnodar territory of the Russian Federation in the Anapa federal resort. Last winter under the pretence of forest road-building illegal cutting took place in "Big Utrish"-territory. The only and unique Mediterranean forest in Russia got harmed.

Trees and bushes listed in the Red book of Russia, relic juniper and pistachio forests were destructed. Building was started without obligatory state ecological examination. As it was found out later, the Administrative office of the President is the customer of works. Building has been temporarily stopped by group of volunteer-environmentalists. Now the construction machinery is not withdrawn from a place of illegal building, though the Ministry of Natural resources have claimed contrary. The situation has become sharp. Authorities of Krasnodar territory held an auction and other part of the lands of the future reserve was leased for a period of 49 years. Pioneering for new building has been already started on this territory by request of lease holders.

Scientists of different countries, representatives of the international ecological community have joined the struggle begun by Russian environmental organizations for preservations of relic forests in "Big Utrish"-reserve where there are a lot of Red Book listed rare plants and animals.

According to the Russian Federation Government Executive Order 725-r dated 23.05.2001 the state natural reserve is to be created on "Big Utrish" till 2010. In connection with these events considerable quantity of letters with more than 14000 signatures has been sent to the President of the Russian Federation Mr. Medvedev with following requests:

-The activity of the Ministry of Natural resources and ecology shall be energized to provide "Big Utrish" reserve creation in time prescribed in the Russian Federation Government Executive Order 725-r.

— The building and designing of any objects in the territory of "Big Utrish" planned reserve shall be terminated.

— The authorities of Krasnodar territory shall perform all measures to compensate all the damages impaired by illegal building, and restore natural complexes destroyed in its result and cancel all forest fund lease contracts on the lands that are parts of projected reserve;

— This lands shall be immediately reserved with a view of "Big Utrish" reserve creation.

19/09/2009