The Goals of Forest Protection
The Forest Code names the goals of forest protection precisely: maintaining and improving ecological equilibrium in the forest; preventing erosion, waterlogging, landslides, avalanches and other processes that worsen the condition of the soil; preserving the self-containment of virgin forest; and protecting relict, endemic and other rare species of plants. From these goals follows the list of threats: the forest must be protected from fire, pests and diseases, violations of the established rules of forest use and other measures, illegal felling, worsening of sanitary condition, damage to forest soil, and other negative anthropogenic impact.
Protection Measures
Forest protection is carried out with regard to the forest’s biodiversity and other peculiarities, and embraces silvicultural measures, the use of biological, chemical and mechanical methods, and organizational, legal and other measures of protection from destruction, damage, pollution and other negative impact. The concrete measures are: zoning of the forest with regard to the danger of the spread of pests and diseases — division into zones of low, medium and high risk; pathological examination and monitoring of the forest; where necessary, protection from the spread of pests and diseases by biological, chemical and mechanical methods; prohibition of the removal from the forest of felled diseased, biologically or mechanically unprocessed trees, to prevent the spread of new foci; protection from fire; prevention and suppression of illegal forest use and plunder of forest resources; and other necessary measures caused by a special situation. Chemical means are used only in the cases contemplated by the statute and in compliance with the rules. Forest protection measures are part of the forest management plan.
The Impermissibility of Forest Destruction
An action that causes the destruction of the forest is prohibited. Destruction is deemed to be caused by an action that causes average or greater degradation of forest soil; creates an obvious threat of landslide or erosion processes to the soil; renders timely restoration and reforestation impossible; or makes trees defenceless — hindering their growth because of wind, fire, the use of biological and chemical preparations, the spread of pests and diseases, or any pollution. The procedure for cleaning the forest from household, industrial and other waste and harmful substances is established by statute, and questions of compensation for damage and of liability are regulated by the code and other legislative acts.