Russia launches mounted environmental police to patrol forests in Leningrad region

Russia's Leningrad Region has launched a mounted environmental police unit as part of a pilot project aimed at improving the detection of environmental violations in forests and rural areas, regional authorities announced on July 20.

The initiative, introduced with the support of local volunteers, has recruited horse breeder Amina Lyubitskaya as the first mounted environmental inspector.

According to the regional government, patrols on horseback provide inspectors with a higher vantage point, enabling them to more easily identify illegal rubbish dumps concealed in vegetation, signs of unlawful logging, and individuals lighting campfires in prohibited areas.

Regional officials said the project is intended to strengthen environmental monitoring while improving access to areas that can be difficult to reach by vehicle.

Leningrad Region Governor Alexander Drozdenko said mounted inspectors also have a positive effect on public engagement.

"People are much more willing to listen to inspectors riding beautiful, well-groomed horses," he said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev