MP: 30% of Russian forests could be privatized by 2006

Up to 30% of Russian forests may be privatized, said State Duma Natural Resources Committee head Natalia Komarova yesterday. She said new amendments to the forest code, which were prepared by her committee, provide for privatization of a part of Russian forests. At present, all proposals for changes to the forest code have been sent to the Economics Ministry.

Although the new code calls for free access to forests for citizens, Komarova said a forest owner would be able to limit the access and actions of citizens on their territory. The committee head also said the new amendments have been made to correspond to land and tax codes. The new code could begin as early as 2006.