The conflict between the defenders of the Khimki forest and the Russian Ministry of Transport began back in 2004, when it was decided to lay a highway through the forest. Many residents of the surrounding areas and nature lovers did not like this idea. Both sides defend their point of view, and the "war" is far from over.
On July 9, 2012, the state-owned company nevertheless began cutting down the designated area of the Khimki oak forest. Avtodor, referring to the research of the Institute of Forestry, claims that the planned 8% of the destroyed forest will not affect the change in the ecological situation in the area.
These percentages fit about a thousand mature trees, which will be replaced by a piece of a toll highway. The Institute of Forestry assessed this section of the oak forest and concluded that there are no plants listed in the Red Book. But scientists do not deny the value of trees to be destroyed.
Old-age unique oaks are located in the central part of the Khimki forest, which will not be affected by Avtodor's assurances. The defenders of the forest claim that first they had to undergo compensation measures for the ecology of the region. Russian Highways retorts that these works are being carried out according to the approved project plan.
The felling should be carried out with the preservation of the life of young and middle-aged oak trees, which can be transplanted to another place. The representative office of the WWF in Russia is dissatisfied with the volume of compensation measures.
The construction of a toll highway through the Khimki oak forest has been suspended more than once, the project has been changed. Expert studies of the consequences of felling, public discussions of the work were carried out many times. It is not possible to reach full agreement of the parties. But the authorities promise that the oak grove will not die.
The need for a future track is not denied either. Indeed, now a huge stream of cars rushes through the center of Khimki, which is unsafe for local residents and their health. The environmental situation in the city itself will undoubtedly improve after the introduction of the highway. But, of course, people are sorry to lose centuries-old picturesque trees, which are also a source of oxygen for the atmosphere.
