Guardians of Zvezdara forest in Belgrade prevent illegal cutting

BELGRADE - On Tuesday evening, at about 6pm, an attempt was made to cut a few trees in Zvezdarska forest in the area above the KBC "Zvezdara", said the activists of Zvezdara Forest Protection Association.- Cutting was stopped with quick and decisive action of the residents of nearby houses. They've gathered and asked the loggers to produce the permits which, of course, they didn't have. Police was called to intervene. Loggers still managed to peel bark from one tree and left it without a branch, but the tree is preserved - said the locals. Zvezdara Forest Protection Association has recently warned of the construction of traffic lane, four meters wide, in Zvezdarskoj forest that is allegedly intended for touristtrain, under the Plan for detailed regulation of this area. Tourist train is scheduled by the draft of this plan, which has yet to be adopted.- It is interesting that the illegal logging was attempted exactly where the new roads through Zvezdara forest are being planned by the draft of Plan for detailed regulationof Zvezdara forest. The so-called New street No.1 is planned there. - said the locals.However both the residents and activists of Zvezdara Forest Protection Association claim they won't allow a single tree to be cut.