NEWS

On March 1, 2017 the National Awareness campaign against Dry Grass Burning “Save the Forest” has started. Subject to the Decree of the Russian Government No.1082-r dated June 2, 2016, this awareness campaign is one of the key agitation events of the Year of Ecology announced by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation.

The main aim of the awareness campaign is to form the stable public opinion on prohibition to burn dry grass, on the practical uselessness of burnings and harming the environment, on the need to comply with the fire safety regulations in the forest and adjacent areas.

The main sources of forest fires in spring are the burns of dry grass on agricultural land and burning of dry grass by citizens. In November 2015 the Decree of the Government No.1213 has amended the Fire Prevention Rules of the Russian Federation – since that moment the uncontrolled burnings of dry grass are strictly prohibited. The arson of dry grass is punishable by a fine not exceeding 250 thousand rubles, or imprisonment not exceeding 10 years and a fine not exceeding 500 thousand rubles.

Also, a ban on burning dry vegetation and combustible materials, making fires in the right-of-ways of highways, in the right-of-ways and protection zones of railways, viaducts and product pipelines is imposed.

As part of the National Awareness Campaign against Dry Grass Burning “Save the Forest”, the issue-related lessons will be given in the educational institutions, preventive talks with a population of rural areas will be conducted, and the children drawing competitions will be held.

“It is required that every Russian citizen got a message that the burning of dry grass is prohibited. The dry grass burning is a crime, a crime against people, against nature, against the ecology of the entire planet. This crime is punishable – it gives rise to administrative and criminal liability. And before taking measures we ask people to think about the catastrophic consequences of grass burning,” said the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation – the Head of the Federal Forestry Agency Ivan Valentik.