19 Jul 2019 17:13

Control over forest use should be tightened, illegal felling increases flood risk - Putin

BRATSK. July 19 (Interfax) - Russia must do more to counter illegal felling of trees; the topic will be discussed at the state council's next meeting, President Vladimir Putin said.

"Today, by the way, unexpectedly for me, ordinary citizens pointed out a very important and in fact national problem: we need to increase control over forest use in general. Not just in the region, but nationwide," Putin said at a meeting to discuss the disaster response on Friday.

"Illegal tree-felling leads to overmoisturized soil, increasing flood risks," he said.

"I ask the government to set up an ad hoc working group to monitor the forest use situation," he said.

"Considering the importance of this topic, we will talk about it in more detail at the next State Council meeting," Putin said.