Russian environmentalists sent a letter on Monday to President Dmitry Medvedev urging an independent assessment of the controversial construction of a highway through Khimki forest.
Medvedev ordered the suspension of plans to construct a toll highway between Moscow and St. Petersburg through the centuries-old Khimki forest north of the capital on August 26, before further public and expert consultation.
He said the decision was made after appeals from environmentalists, opposition groups, groups of experts and the governing United Russia party.
The activists asked the president to take personal responsibility for the Khimki highway issue and ensure direct and transparent dialogue for all sides involved in the conflict.
Among the ecological organizations who signed the letter are Greenpeace, WWF, Transparency International and the Khimki forest protection group.
MOSCOW, AUGUST 30 (RIA Novosti)
