The active struggle for the protected Lago-Naki plateau continues. So much time has passed already, yet officials and businesses refuse to abandon the idea that they can gain instant profit by destroying this wildlife sanctuary! I have previously written about Lago-Naki. We conducted an expedition there, telling people about the authorities’ plans to exploit the sanctuary.
Moreover, the first logging operations have unfortunately already begun.
The Lago-Naki plateau is located in the Western Caucasus, in the Republic of Adygea. It is a sacred heritage of the Earth’s Biosphere, and, incidentally, the plateau is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
But what is a “wildlife sanctuary” when the main interest of the rich is to further increase profits? To plunder! Tear apart. Destroy! Without regard for the future of our children. They have, at most, 20–30 years left to live, and after that “let the grass not grow,” as the saying goes.
So!
There is news about the struggle for Lago-Naki. Our allies contacted me—those who continue to defend the sanctuary from brazen merchants.
The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation has accepted for consideration a lawsuit filed by the head of the Adygea branch of the All-Russian Society for the Protection of Nature (VOOP), Valery Brinikh, seeking the repeal of the Russian Government’s decree on the creation of the Lagonaki Biosphere Polygon.
Filing a lawsuit does not mean victory. For instance, in 2024 there were court cases involving the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding its decree on the killing of bears until December 31, meaning officials extended the hunting period to the time when bears go into hibernation. Representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation came to the court hearing and stated: “We kill bears during their hibernation because of changes in the country’s climatic conditions.”
Seriously, can you believe what they are saying?
This is a huge country with eight climatic zones, covering vast territories from Arctic glaciers to subtropical coasts.
Each region has its own climatic conditions, which are also changing rapidly. Moreover, in our country, regions officially can set their own bear hunting periods depending on changing climatic regimes!
And what does the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation do? They legalize a UNIFIED extension of the bear hunting season during their hibernation in a country with 8 climatic zones, justifying it with… climate change.
Thus, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation took the side of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation and refused to overturn the decree. In other words, the officials’ arguments were accepted! There was fierce resistance, but nothing came of it.
And it’s no surprise that the federal Ministry of Natural Resources is supported by the federal Court.
Therefore, the fact that Valery Brinikh’s lawsuit against the destruction of the Lago-Naki plateau has been accepted is currently only a formal step in this difficult struggle! But all nature defenders are doing the right thing—one must continue to fight by all available means.
I want to quote his letter so that all our allies understand the situation:
“As is known, by Government Order of the Russian Federation No. 561-r in 2021, the Lagonaki Biosphere Polygon of the Caucasus Reserve was established in the Republic of Adygea. The sole purpose of its creation was to gain access to specially protected areas of the reserve for their economic development. Primarily, to create the all-season mountain resort ‘Lagonaki,’ which is actively promoted by the leadership of Adygea.
Personally, I am convinced that the most reliable solution is the radical one—to cancel the creation of the Lagonaki Biosphere Polygon in 2021. In January of this year, I prepared an administrative lawsuit in my own name as a private individual, challenging the legality of Government Order No. 561-r of the Russian Federation (on the creation of the Lagonaki Biosphere Polygon) and demanding its cancellation. I have already saved Lago-Naki twice from encroachments by the leadership of the Republic of Adygea, defending in court the right of the Caucasus Reserve to this territory: first in 2001, when I was still the director of the Caucasus Reserve, and then in 2004, when I was heading the Maykop city branch of VOOP. In both cases I won the court cases, and Lago-Naki remained within the Caucasus Reserve. As you can see, they say God loves a trinity, so I have to fight for Lago-Naki’s salvation in court once again.
On February 22 of this year, I sent the lawsuit to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, and yesterday (03/05) I received notification that the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation accepted my statement for proceedings and scheduled a preliminary court hearing for April 24. So the process has begun!”
Such are his comments.
From my own perspective, I want to add the following. The situation is complicated by the fact that we live in a different time! Previously, Valery was the director of the Caucasus Reserve, having completely different leverage, as well as at that turning point when power was only being established in the country and was not as closed off from society—this also plays an important role.
The main problem today in solving environmental issues is the closure of any consolidation between society and government agencies! A well-constructed system of formal replies to any requests.
Even the current Forest Code, which essentially legalized the sell-off of the Russian Taiga to private companies by making timber movable property and the land under the forest immovable property, was adopted in 2006 (Federal Law No. 200-FZ of December 4, 2006). Since then, the institution of forestry management was abolished in the country, and any control over forests was handed over to the regions (loss of federal oversight) and private leaseholders.
In other words, those who rent forests for logging and animal hunting are supposed to maintain order there. Naturally, any merchant places only profit at the center of their interests and cuts costs in every way possible.
That is why the situation is dire today. And the victories that were achieved through the courts at the turn of the 2000s can hardly correlate with what is happening now! I would say these are two completely opposite situations.
But!
Our allies are doing everything correctly! Any action is now extremely important to protect the wildlife, and especially to save the Lago-Naki wildlife sanctuary.
Let’s support the defenders of Lago-Naki! Any help they need from us will be provided. As well as full informational support!
Also, to the defenders of Lago-Naki: contact me if you need to launch a public civic initiative within the framework of our projects. We can ensure continuous coverage with mass sending of complaints to key figures in the Government, in order to move the issue forward.
Allies!
The fight for Lago-Naki has been going on for many years. We have long been part of this struggle! And this is only one wildlife sanctuary, whereas right now, for the sake of profit, they are attacking all the last sanctuaries in all regions of the country simultaneously.
Your support is extremely important! Very much so! Please share this material, talk about the problem, and help halt this inhuman madness.
Be sure to read:
- What scientists and activists say about the destruction of the Lago-Naki plateau?
- Logging has already begun on the Lago-Naki plateau
© PAVEL PASHKOV
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