Russia’s ‘Red Book’ exists to keep rare species alive. After September 1, builders who claim ‘no other site available’ get a legal green light to wipe one out.

Russia's Red Book is a national list of endangered animals, plants, and fungi that are legally protected. According to Meduza, new rules taking effect September first will allow developers and mining companies to destroy these protected species and their habitats if they argue no other site is available for their project. Environmental groups warn this change is especially dangerous for plants and fungi, which depend on specific soil, hydrological conditions, and ecosystem relationships that can't be restored simply by transplanting them to a new location.

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