On 11 January 2017, the Environmental Treasures of Russia exhibition opened at the State Duma of the Russian Federation as part of events dedicated to the Year of the Environment and the Year of Specially Protected Areas. The first of these areas, the Barguzinsky Biosphere Reserve, is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year. The display mostly features photographs of Russian natural landscapes and rare animals and plants.

The opening ceremony was attended by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov, Chair of the State Duma Committee on Ecology and Environmental Protection Olga Timofeyeva, and General Director of the autonomous non-profit organisation Far Eastern Leopards Yelena Gangalo.

“Russia has rich environmental treasures. This is the heritage of Russia, our homeland, and it is up to us to protect these treasures. Environmental law and environmental legislation are quite young. In fact, we have rather few efficient solutions in this area. We will have to address environmental issues both this year and throughout the seventh Duma’s term of office. We will have to work hard,” Vyacheslav Volodin said.

Sergei Ivanov stressed that the new State Duma would have to approve the Law on the Responsible Treatment of Animals and expressed hope that this would happen before the end of the year. The State Duma Committee on Ecology and Environmental Protection reported that the bill in question would be submitted during the spring session.

Mr Ivanov also remarked that the law on harsher punishment for animal hunting and trafficking passed by the sixth Duma had had much influence on efforts to combat poaching. “Crimes against Red Book animals have declined dramatically because we have toughened the punishment,” he said. Earlier, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Sergei Donskoi reported to the President about new amendments to this law, which would introduce harsher punishment for illegal hunting.