A work group for ecologic escort of “Lagonaki” project formed in Adygeia

The authorities of Adygeia together with environmental groups will seek ways of solving ecologic problems connected with development of “Lagonaki” health resort. For this purpose a work group of ecologic escort of the project “Development of a special economic tourist an recreation zone “Lagonaki” in the territory of Maikop district of the Republic of Adygeia” was formed.

Officials and ecologists in cooperation are expected to solve problems existing round the project of “Lagonaki” health resort. A matter of particular concern of environmental groups is the plan of deployment of most objects of this health resort in the territory of Caucasian nature reserve and item of World natural heritage “Western Caucasus”.

Both Russian and international ecologic organizations have reproofs concerning the project. In particular, UNESCO Committee of World Heritage expressed serious concern about the plans of development of the new ski resort in the decision of its last session.

According to Valery Brinikh, Director of the Institute of Regional Natural Research, the first task the work group will have to solve is preparing performance specification for the designers of the tourist object for estimation and public examination of its effect upon environment and a project of specification of the borders of specially protected natural areas of republican status.

“Removing lands of little value or the ones destroyed by economic activity from the list of protected areas and their replacement by virgin lands of wild nature not yet protected by conservation status is a long-felt need”, ITAR-TASS quotes Valery Brinikh.

In the opinion of Andrey Rudomakha, coordinator of Environmental Watch on North Caucasus, before regarding one or another variant of realization of “Lagonaki” health resort project the authorities of the Republic of Adygeia must take some nature conservation steps on their side, first of all re-establish conservation status of the protected zone of Caucasian nature reserve which is part of World natural heritage “Western Caucasus” in the territory of Adygeia. This was reported in a press release of non-governmental organization “Environmental Watch on North Caucasus” received by the “Caucasian Knot” editorial board.