The transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Trutnev, we have been to two places here in Kamchatka: the Yuzhno-Kamchatsky wildlife preserve and the Kronotsky nature reserve. But Russia has many protected nature areas. And the question people often ask is how Russian citizens and guests from other countries can see these places. This, of course, raises organization issues. Are the administrations of nature reserves allowed to arrange ecotours or not? And what needs to be done for these areas to be kept in a decent shape? I am referring to the possibilities for our citizens to see Russia's nature but still keep it intact.

Yury Trutnev: Mr Putin, Russia has one of the world's largest networks of protected nature areas. We have 101 nature reserves, 41 national parks and 69 wildlife preserves. At the same time, you quite correctly put your finger on a sticking point We focus primarily on one function - that of nature protection. Environmental education, tourism and just the opportunity for people to be with nature and their motherland have all been neglected. There are two main reasons for this: first, the lack of infrastructure. The infrastructure in the protected nature areas is outdated and far below today's needs. In addition, the law is vague on infrastructure for national parks and ecotours and visits to the reserves in general. Only private one-off tours can fulfill the function of ecotourism in the nature reserves.

We are expected therefore to amend laws and provide more financing to build infrastructure for people to have accommodation, places to travel to, or facilities to stay in poor weather.

So along with the State Duma's nature management committee we have drafted amendments to the legislation. They are currently being examined by the government. They concern investment in the construction of infrastructure and specifically for national parks.

As regards the nature reserves, only the state can run things there. Right now we have prepared a programme for building infrastructure in top priority nature reserves in Russia, in the best beauty spots. I would like you to support these changes to the laws and help with the financing of the infrastructure, because these are the most scenic and best places in our country.

Vladimir Putin: Here in Kamchatka we also have a natural attraction - the so-called Valley of Geysers. There are only four similar phenomenons in the world. And several alike sights are found on the territory of our Far Eastern neighbour, I mean the United States.

How many people visit these sights in America and in this country? In America, as I recall, it is two million people.

Yury Trutnev: Exactly, Mr Putin. Two million people visit the Geyser basins in Yellowstone National Park every year. In Russia, it is only three thousand that see Russia's Valley.

Now only 200 people can be expected in Kamchatka. The obstacles to more visitors include a legislatively undefined concept of ecotourism (absence of such a notion) and the state of the infrastructure at Geysers Valley.

In the United States, the national parks yield $14.5 billion in revenue annually. We are confident that if we invest in national parks and nature reserves now, we will not only help people see the most beautiful places in Russia, but we can also recoup much of the budget money later on.  

Vladimir Putin: Preserving nature remains, of course, a top priority. We must complete the job of amending existing legislation with the environmental agencies. That goes without saying.

At the same time, it is clear that we need these changes as much as we need additional funding. We are currently in the midst of a budget planning process. So let us adjust our plans with this in mind.

I was told that this will require five to six billion roubles in the next five years. Let us make the first step: let us allocate the necessary funds for 2011 and complete the job of amending the law at the autumn meeting of parliament.

Any commercial business in our nature reserves is forbidden, and only partly allowed in the national parks. As I understand it, we will not overhaul these rules, will we?

Yury Trutnev: Precisely not.

Vladimir Putin: Good.