Valery Khatazhukov: gravel excavation in Shakhe River threatens ecological disaster

In Sochi, excavation of gravel in the riverbed of the Shakhe River has been suspended; however, the danger of resumption of mining still remains. In this case, ecological disaster threatens the places of traditional residence of Shapsugs. This was stated by participants of the recent press conference held in Nalchik.

The press conference was held in connection with the appeal to the human rights defenders filed by residents of the Shapsug village of Bolshoy Kichmai of the Krasnodar Territory. The appeal reports on the threat of ecological disaster faced by the Shapsug auls (villages) located in the valley of the Shakhe Rivers in connection with the illegal excavation of gravel.

Valery Khatazhukov, the leader of the Human Rights Centre (HRC), said that due to public protests, held in the period of December 2012-April 2013, gravel was not excavated. However, in early 2013, the Limited Liability Company (LLC) "ZhD Stroyservis" again started excavating gravel to be used for coastal protection facilities.

The excavation led to the fact that level of water in wells used by residents of the villages and towns adjacent to the Shakhe River dropped by 3.2 meters. Besides, streams have dried up, and gardens wither.

"At present, excavation of gravel has been stopped," said Khalid Tlifov, Chairman of the territorial self-administration unit (known as TOS) of the Black Sea Shapsugs. However, in his opinion, it is necessary not to lose the sharpness of the issue in the public space, since there is concern that the company can resume the excavation of gravel.