Ecologists accuse bridge builders of destructing Cape Tuzla

Tuzla Island has turned into a parking lot and a place for storage of inert materials, and the natural area "Cape Tuzla" has been virtually destroyed. This was reported by the "Ecological Watch on Northern Caucasus" (EcoWatch). Residents of the city of Taman complain about the shortage of drinking water.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 19, 2014, the Russian government issued a resolution on the development of the feasibility study for the construction of a bridge between Kuban and Crimea. The completion of the works is scheduled for June 30, 2019.

According to members of the EcoWatch, the territory of Cape Tuzla, a specially protected natural area of regional importance, is subjected to extensive geological exploration works, which have already resulted in irreversible environmental damage.

According to ecologists, Cape Tuzla Spit is a natural protective buffer for the Taman Gulf and its shores. The experts of the EcoWatch stated that the area has its unique wetland ecosystem.

Besides, according to the experts of the EcoWatch, the Taman Gulf is a habitat for the Black Sea bottlenose dolphins, which are under state protection. Being rare and endangered species, Black Sea bottlenose dolphins are included in the Red Books of the Krasnodar Territory and Russia.

Dmitry Shevchenko, Deputy Coordinator of the "Ecological Watch on Northern Caucasus", has noted that at present, "birds actually left" the area of Tuzla Spit.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.