Red-listed plants: a new initiative

We are preparing to launch a Public Initiative against a new draft measure that seeks to legalize the transplantation of rare species of plants and fungi for the de facto seizure of their territories in the interests of big business. I will repeat my point once again: there is a serious problem in the system of governance — the absence of a “safety mechanism” against lobbyist draft laws. No one bears any responsibility at all. If big business asks its “pocket bureaucrats” to push through some initiative, they gladly do it; and the greater their personal vested interest, the more persistently, again and again, they try to force it into legislation.

The same is true of the draft concerning rare plant species. There is no science here, no logic — only the brazen destruction of already isolated refuges of wild nature. Any expert on wild nature will confirm that in biogeocenoses, connectivity, complexity, and the preservation of species’ habitats themselves are essential — not their “evacuation” to new territories. Many fungi and plants cannot be transplanted at all.

At present, officials cannot adopt one draft under No. 165718 because of public discontent, so they have quietly launched its duplicate, with minor changes in the form of vague wording, under No. 167465. Now society will have to hold back two fronts of pressure.

The priority of any draft measures introduced into legislation must be common sense, scientific logic, and concern for the future of our country. Yet what we are seeing is lobbying groups bargaining among themselves over how much each can grab in difficult times — at the cost of destroying the very last refugia of the Russian Taiga.

We are beginning the work. Right now, it is important to vote against the draft; the information is here: https://pavel-pashkov.com/articles/ru/blow-after-blow

After that, your active participation will be needed within the Public Initiative, which we are already preparing to launch. Let us remain strong.