Ecologists detect second illegal quarry in Sochi National Park

The "Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus" reports, with reference to local residents, that in the valley of the Psou River, in the territory of the Sochi National Park, there is another illegal quarry.

On September 18, activists of the "Ecological Watch" tried to inspect the illegal, in their opinion, quarry, located in the Sochi National Park – in the 26th district of the Veselovka Forestry; however, they were detained by border guards of the FSB Frontier Service in the village of Yermolovka. However, according to the Directorate of the National Park, the works there are carried out legally and have to do with the broadening of the existing road running to the village of Aibga and clearing away a landslide.

According to ecologists, the location of the second quarry was established through analysis of satellite imagery data, which was provided by the non-profit partnership "Prozrachny Mir" (Transparent World).

"The second illegal quarry is located about 3 km above the first one, in the 18th quarter of the Veselovka District Forestry of the Sochi National Park. It also involves the unique Shakhgin Gorge with its 11 herb species from the Red Book of Russia," ecologists say.

According to the activists of the "Ecological Watch", the public now have photos of the second illegal quarry, sent by a Sochi resident. The photographs, taken on July 25, 2011, show that the illegal extraction of limestone had led to activation of landslides, as a result of which the bed of the Psou River was half-blocked with crumbled rocks and soil.

According to local residents, the development of both quarries has led to increased water turbidity downstream of the Psou River.