Public prosecutor’s office of Krasnodar region protected the borders of “Bolshoy Utrish” reserve

Public prosecutor’s office of Krasnodar region acknowledged destruction of state natural reserve of regional value “Bolshoy Utrish” unlawful.

An information about holding a tender on preparation of materials of environmental inspection for the purpose of liquidation of state natural reserve “Bolshoy Utrish” and changing the borders and area of “Abraussky” reserve appeared on the web-site of state purchases on January, 19. The Department of Natural Resources and State environmental control of Krasnodar region was the customer of this work.

Activists of environmental movements considered this tender unlawful. At the end of January Russian department of “Greenpeace” appealed to regional Public prosecutor’s office demanding to verify legality of the officials’ actions.

“The tender on performing the works for liquidation of “Bolshoy Utrish” reserve which was necessary for development in the territory of unique juniper forests was acknowledged illegal by Public prosecutor’s office”, activist of “Environmental Watch on North Caucasus” Suren Gazaryan reported on March, 28, in his blog.

“The inspection established that the tender on preparation of materials of environmental inspection for the purpose of liquidation of state natural reserve “Bolshoy Utrish” and changing the borders and area of “Abraussky” reserve was out of keeping with the legislation in force”, the reply from Public prosecutor’s office runs.

In their turn, officials of the Administration of Krasnodar region consider that the claims of Public prosecutor’s office are groundless. Sergey Yeremin, Head of the Department of Natural Resources of Krasnodar region, reminded that there was an order of the Government of the Russian Federation concerning “Bolshoy Utrish” and “Abraussky” reserves.

“Bolshoy Utrish” and “Abraussky” reserves are located near the Black sea, between Anapa and Novorossiysk. These lands got the status of reserves yet in the beginning of -90’s. In 2010 part of the reserve territory lost the status of an especially guarded one. A lot of actions in protection of the reserves passed off in Krasnodar and other regions.