Social media users are outraged by the business on the mountain plateau in Karachay-Cherkessia.

"Now access to the edge of the plateau is charged, and about two hundred meters from the edge, everything is surrounded by barbed wire and a barrier is installed. As a local tenant explained, the entire plateau has been divided into plots and leased for 49 years. Large-scale development is beginning around it," the publication states.

The post garnered 864 reactions and 260 comments within 24 hours. Most commenters expressed outrage that the protected natural area has been leased to businesses. "Yes, we were there in October. A sad and depressing sight. Three years ago, it was a wonderful place," said lubashchur.

“Who asked them to do this? This place was created by nature, and no one has the right to appropriate it!” boriskuznecov53 was indignant. “I’ve been going to the waterfalls near my house since childhood, but no one wanted them. Now, every national park charges 250 rubles for entry…” added aleksandr_chebotarev_gaevskyi. “I’m not going to pay anyone, I was born here and I can go where I want, when I want,” declared 07regionbalkariia.

“It’s good that I managed to visit there about 10 years ago. And many other places, too, without barriers and who-knows-what fees. It’s a shame about nature in general…,” wrote elena.elena.gl. "I'm glad I traveled to the Caucasus before it became mainstream. In Dagestan, they were surprised we were even there," noted dr.kents.

"They've invaded everything; soon there won't be a single wild corner left. People used to go there to be alone with nature, to get away from people, but now it's full of people and businesses," lamented user sevi_998_.

"This plateau used to be gorgeous alpine meadows with endangered plants, now it's a muddy mess. Very sad," wrote lyubovshchurova. "This once-gorgeous vacation spot has turned into a marketplace and a rip-off of tourists," stated user my_way_kavkaz.

"We need to write to the prosecutor's office and have them check the legality of their actions," says marsovabarbara. "The plateau has already been destroyed... all that remains is to double-check the justification for leasing this plot, and the legality of the buildings," wrote dmitry_maksimov.

"Entrance to the Narzan Valley is 500 rubles per person. But once you enter, there are tons of people. Apparently, everyone is happy with this, although how can natural springs be private property?" noted faridnagaev. "I'm not against the small fee—it's not a problem. The problem is that these tenants have ruined everything there! Just piles of trash and barbed wire all around," wrote fireastra.

The news of the access restriction is also being discussed in the "KMV Word of Mouth" community on the social network VKontakte. "The Bermamyt Plateau is part of the Khasautsky State Zoological Reserve. The question is, how did it happen that there's an entrance fee and then construction is starting," wrote Lyubov Sharmash.

“All private commercial activity on Bermamyt is illegal. The "owner" could only lease these lands for agricultural purposes. Any buildings, fences, and especially barbed wire are prohibited. They demand payment – pay by card, with a receipt for services. Did they give you a receipt? (Unlikely) – proof of such illegal services. A call to the police and they shut down the business. They demand cash – the question is, for what services? Again, the threat of police is for those who want justice. There are no private territories closed to free entry/entry. Business is local, brotherly. This also applied to Arkhyz on Lunnaya Polyana, where the locals shouted that it was their land, they put up fences, but no one legalized the land,” wrote Igor Prosk.