Some 20 protestors from the Russian branch of the international environmental group demonstrated in front of the Russian natural resources ministry.

"Unique natural sites that should be transformed into reserves are being threatened with degradation and complete destruction," Guslyana Kartyuchova told AFP.

"There has not been a single reserve created in Russia since 2000," she said.

Ecologists have accused the Russian government of sacrificing environmental interests for the sake of profits, in opening up Russia's vast forests to hunting, logging and construction.

The activists railed in particular against a new forestry code currently debated in Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma. The code authorizes local officials to open up protected forests to construction and other activities.

TERRA.WIRE