Anzor Nibo: Shapsugs in Krasnodar Territory hope for soonest solution of land problem

According to Anzor Nibo, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Shapsugiya", the most important issue for the Adygs-Shapsugs, living near the Black Sea, is the land issue and the fact that the statute of the Krasnodar Territory had not fixed the fact of residence of Shapsugs as the indigenous nation. At the same time, Anzor Nibo and Madjid Chachukh, Chairman of the public organization "Adyge Khase" of the Adygs-Shapsugs, living near the Black Sea, do not think that the regional authorities pay little attention to the nation.

Shapsugs are the nation from the group of Adygs (Circassians) in the Russian Federation. In the Krasnodar Territory, Adygs-Shapsugs mainly live in the Tuapse and Lazarevskoe Districts.

Let us remind you that in May 2011, at the seventh conference of the public organization "Adyge Khase", delegates discussed the current problems of the Shapsugs, living near the Black Sea, including the problem of territories for their stay. The conference has noted that "many mountain villages are on the verge of extinction" and that the provisions of the Federal Law "On guarantees of rights of indigenous nations" are hardly fulfilled.

In last December, it became known that general plans for development of villages in the Lazarevskoe and Tuapse Districts in the Krasnodar Territory have been completed; and it is expected that in the territories of those districts, hundreds of young families of Adygs-Shapsugs will have opportunity to build houses for themselves.

Valery Ostrozhny: Krasnodar Territory supports Adygs-Shapsugs through several targeted programmes

Support of the Adygs-Shapsugs, living near the Black Sea, is being conducted within the "Programme for harmonization of interethnic relations and development of national cultures in Krasnodar Territory" and within other targeted programme. This was reported by Valery Ostrozhny, the deputy head of the administration of the Krasnodar Territory for collaboration with community associations, religious organizations and monitoring of migration processes.

According to his story, the programme has a section "Saving of environment of traditional habitat of indigenous nations", which is also relevant to Adygs-Shapsugs, since they belong to indigenous nations.

"This programme was approved in 2006, and it is being constantly prolonged," Valery Ostrozhny told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Other targeted programmes to support villages of Adygs-Shapsugs are underway. For example, village telephone penetration is carried out within another regional programme. Besides, roads and bridges are being repaired in Adyg villages. There is also a grant support of the newspaper "Shapsugiya" and Adyg Cultural Centre in the Lazarevskoe District. In last year, funds were allocated to develop a new plan for the development of Adygs' settlements. This plan was developed, and it is to be approved," said Valery Ostrozhny.

According to his story, the plan provides for the mutual exchange of land, changing the boundaries of villages, which will allow allocating lands to Adygs-Shapsugs for individual housing construction.

Madjid Chachukh: in recent years, more funds were allocated for development of villages of Adygs-Shapsugs

Prior to 2011, in accordance with the "Programme for harmonization of interethnic relations and development of national cultures in Krasnodar Territory", two million roubles were allocated annually for development of villages of Adygs-Shapsugs. This was reported by Madjid Chachukh, Chairman of the public organization "Adyge Khase" of the Adygs-Shapsugs, living near the Black Sea.

According to his story, for 2011-2012, more funds are allocated than in previous years.

"17,910,000 roubles were allocated for capital repair of centres of culture in the villages of Kalezh, Tkhagapsh and Maly Kichmai, of medical and obstetric station in the village of Maly Kichmai. Repair and recovery works are almost complete. Besides, allocated funds are intended for construction of sports facilities in the villages of Nadjigo and Tkhagapsh, for material and technical equipment for centres of national cultures in the Lazarevskoe District," said Madjid Chachukh.

Anzor Nibo: regional, district and municipal authorities of Krasnodar Territory understand problems of Adygs-Shapsugs

According to Anzor Nibo, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Shapsugiya", development of general plans for villages of the Lazarevskoe and Tuapse Districts and their possible approval can become the most global project for the Adygs-Shapsugs, living near the Black Sea.

According to his story, another important problem is that in the statute of the Krasnodar Territory does record the fact of residence of Adygs-Shapsugs as the indigenous nation.

"Amendments should be approved to the statute of the Krasnodar Territory. Adygs-Shapsugs are included in the lists of indigenous nations at the federal level, and administration of the Krasnodar Territory still did not confirm that fact. At the same time, the regional programme for support of indigenous nations contains information about Adygs-Shapsugs, and assistance to them is being rendered," said the editor-in-chief of the "Shapsugiya".