Letter to Father Frost
On New Year’s Eve the interregional environmental organization «SPOK» (Republic of Karelia), «Kola Biodiversity Conservation Center » (Murmansk region), «Silver Taiga Foundation» (Komi Republic), «Green Wave» (St. Petersburg), WWF Arkhangelsk and also Greenpeace Russia send a letter to the Father Frost whose home is situated in Veliki Ustyug (Vologda region of Russia). The environmental organizations of the north-west of Russia asked the all-powerful Father Frost to help them to preserve valuable forests of Vologda region from destruction.
It is said in the letter, that the clear cuttings are being carried out in Vologda region of Russia – Father Frost home territory – close to the regional Specially Protected Natural Area (SPNA) «Protected natural complex «Onezhski» and the planned SPNA «Atleka». It is known, that SPNA «Protected natural complex «Onezhski» has been created «in order to conserve natural landscapes and rare species of plants and animals». That is why clear cutting there goes against the goals of its creation.
The heads of the non-governmental organizations, who signed the letter, explained to the Father Frost, that Specially Protected Natural Areas in taiga zone are being created to conserve valuable forests and biodiversity and that Vologda region is one of some regions where the last parts of virgin south taiga has been preserved. To destroy it is to destroy the biodiversity of a fantasy forest and its pristine beauty which are closely related to the figure of the Father Frost.
The heads of the non-governmental organizations, who signed the letter, explained to the Father Frost, that Specially Protected Natural Areas in taiga zone are being created to conserve valuable forests and biodiversity and that Vologda region is one of some regions where the last parts of virgin south taiga has been preserved. To destroy it is to destroy the biodiversity of a fantasy forest and its pristine beauty which are closely related to the figure of the Father Frost.
By the way, Santa Claus, the colleague of the Russian Father Frost was appointed as an ambassador of the European Forests and he made a public speech for their defence in Rovaniemi, where the European Forest Week was held. The environmental organizations of the north-west of Russia proposed to their unusual addressee to become a defender of the unique pristine forests of the European North of Russia.
«We hope, that the beauty of the pristine forest in Vologda region – Father Frost home territory – will be taken under your personal protection», – wrote the ecologists.
Translated by Anastasia Popova