Nature defenders try again to draw attention to Sochi ecology

In central Sochi, nature defenders have again held a picket, asserting that many environmental problems of the resort have not been given due attention yet.

"Here, people sign the petition in defence of Cape Vidny," Gayane Antonova, a nature activist, tried to attract attention of passers-by. She showed the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent a letter from the Ministry for Protection of Environment and Natural Resources of Russia saying that "a visit was undertaken to the Hosta District of the city of Sochi, to the coastal territory of Cape Vidny."

In the letter, Rinat Gizatulin, director for state policy and regulation in the sphere of environment preservation and ecological safety of the above Ministry, indicated that as a result of the visit the fact was established of felling Russia's Red Book trees. Under calculations of the Ministry's experts contained in the letter, the loss from felling trees made 156,750 roubles.

However, Ms Antonova asserts that the above damage was greatly underestimated; and the number of felled trees was higher. For this reason she continues taking part in actions demanding to certify the nature sanctuary in Cape Vidny and objective appraisal of the damage caused to the nature. Also, Gayane filed an application to the local prosecutor's office.