Rights of Sochi National Park defended in court

Greenpeace Russia won in the Russian Supreme Court the suit to abolish a part of resolution of the Russian Government No. 571 of September 15, 2003 "On the Sochi All-Republican National Natural Reserve". As it was reported by the Independent Ecological Watch of the Northern Caucasus, by this resolution, the Russian Government withdrew 33,222 hectares of land from the Sochi National Park (including 11,000 hectares of land of the reserved zone, where any economic activity is prohibited) and gave it to the Sochi All-Republican National Natural Reserve. This step was suggested by the Russian Ministries of Agriculture and of Natural Resources. Elite hunting and recreation for Russian officials have been arranged on the territory of the Sochi All-Republican National Natural Reserve for many years already, under the pretext of regulating the number of animals.

The resolution has never undergone a state ecological examination and was passed in defiance of numerous federal laws.

Today the system of Russian reserves and national parks is under serious threat of disintegration and complete elimination.

Editors note: See also the article "Greenpeace hopes to save Sochi National Park from functionaries".