Forests are the most important resource on our planet, a gift from nature. Trees are called the 'lungs' of the Earth for a reason. They help clean the air we breathe from dirt, dust, soot and other harmful impurities and protect from city noise. Coniferous trees, in addition, produce phytoncides – special substances that strengthen human immunity and destroy pathogens.
The Constitution of the Russian Federation guarantees its citizens freedom of movement throughout the country. This right extends to forests as well. There is a special Forest Code of the Russian Federation, where the 11th article says that one can stay in the forests absolutely free of charge. Thus, a person satisfies his needs: environmental, aesthetic, nutritional, health and a number of others, no less important. A person has the right, without obtaining prior permission for this and without paying any fees, to pick berries, nuts and mushrooms in the forest, to harvest medicinal herbs. Naturally, this does not apply to species listed in the Red Book and protected by the authorities. Citizens' access can be completely prohibited or significantly limited only in the territories of defense or state security, as well as in lands protected by the state. Sometimes bans and restrictions are dictated by safety reasons – sanitary, fire personal (for example, when carrying out forestry work). The law does not provide for other grounds for prohibition!
