236 Russia. 



Conversion of protective forests to farm use is for- 

 bidden, and the use of a clearing system, as well as 

 pasturage and other uses supposed to be detrimental, 

 may be interdicted. 



In forests, which are not protective forests, conversion 

 into farms or clearing is permitted, if thereby the estate 

 is improved, e. g. if the soil is fit for orchards and vine- 

 yards; if fit for farm use, in which case, however, only 

 temporary field use is permitted and the area is to be re- 

 forested eventually; if another formerly farmed parcel 

 of the same size has been reforested at least three years 

 prior to the proposed clearing; if in artificial plantar 

 tions the growth is not yet 30 years old, and in a few 

 special cases where property boundaries are to be rounded 

 off. 



The most interesting feature, because thoroughly dem- 

 ocratic, is the creation of local forest protection com- 

 mittees, which are formed in each province and district, 

 composed of various representatives of the local admin- 

 istration, one or two foresters included, the justice of 

 the peace or other justice, the county council and two 

 elected forest owners, in all nine to eleven members, 

 under the presidency of the governor. 



This committee is vested with large powers. It decides, 

 without appeal, what areas are included in protective 

 forests and approves of the working plans for these as 

 well as for the unreserved forests; it determines what 

 clearings may be made and exercises wide police powers 

 with reference to all forest matters in co-operation with 

 the Forest Administration, which latter has the duty of 

 making working plans, free of charge, for the reserved 

 forests, and at the expense of the owner for the private 



