It's evident how much you cared about the environmental theme throughout the story. It's an interesting take that goes in a different direction from the hints of the prompt. It's also interesting the idea of Gennadiy being a faithful Muslim after learning it from comics. The scene you described animates in the end, after a quieter beginning. Maybe I would have loved more space dedicated to the adventurous part but also like this I have to say that you're always original in the directions you choose!
I spent some time learning about the environment. I think it is sad that so much destruction is happening to forests around the world.
One has to be careful what one reads. 8-) You never know what will happen.