The situation surrounding attempts to destroy the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve continues to escalate. Together, my friends and allies, we carried out extensive public work during the first wave to raise awareness and try to stop this madness! Major business interests and regional officials in the Russian Far East are attempting to launch industrial-scale gold mining worth billions of rubles, and to do so they urgently need to “move” the boundaries of the protected area. Acting completely illegally and with blatant impunity, they have already built a road approximately 500 meters long within the reserve’s protected zone. They are apparently so confident that they have the right to seize this unique biological refuge for wildlife.
We are now conducting the second wave of public action in an effort to stop all this madness. Through our allies in Moscow and within government agencies, we succeeded in bringing the problem to the attention of the relevant authorities. Major regional media outlets have also responded, UNESCO has officially spoken out against the destruction of the reserve, and the administration of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve itself has taken an active position.
I want to quote what representatives of UNESCO, the Russian media, and protected areas are saying about this problem. This is extremely important: in difficult times like these, even speaking openly about such problems can become difficult. I am therefore deeply grateful to everyone who finds the strength and courage to continue defending nature!
UNESCO
I should note that this is not an independent report written by a single expert, but an official document of the UNESCO Commission. The document is numbered WHC/26/48.COM/7B.Add.3.Rev and was prepared for the 48th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, held in Busan from July 19 to 29, 2026.
The following are quotations from the document:
“The ‘Glukhoe’ license and the ongoing geological exploration activities within the property’s buffer zone, together with the identified violations of the license conditions, are a matter of serious concern. Any activity related to mineral resource use, including geological exploration, in the immediate vicinity of the property may create significant environmental risks to its Outstanding Universal Value.
According to the available information, the geological exploration area is located upstream of the property and may adversely affect critical water bodies and ecological connectivity that are essential to the Amur tiger and other large mammals, which are key elements of the property’s Outstanding Universal Value.
Recalling the Committee’s previously expressed concern regarding habitat fragmentation, extensive logging, and the associated expansion of the forest road network along the boundaries of the property, the Committee notes that these developments raise additional concerns about the effectiveness of the existing legal protection regime and buffer zone in preventing external threats, particularly if geological exploration activities subsequently develop into industrial-scale mineral extraction.”
The concerns of the UNESCO Commission fully correspond to the scale of the threat: plans have already been announced to mine gold on an industrial scale within the reserve’s protected zone, involving tens of billions of rubles.
“The Committee also reiterates its request to the State Party to expedite the expansion of the Sikhote-Alin State Nature Biosphere Reserve and submit a proposal for a minor boundary modification to align the boundaries of the World Heritage property with those of the expanded reserve and formally establish a buffer zone for the entire property under the Convention.
These measures remain necessary to strengthen ecological connectivity, improve the property’s protection from external threats, and ensure the long-term preservation of its Outstanding Universal Value.”
The following is stated in paragraph 5 of UNESCO’s “Draft Decision”:
“Notes with serious concern the ongoing geological exploration activities under the ‘Glukhoe’ license within the property’s buffer zone, including in areas that may affect critical water bodies located upstream, as well as the ecological integrity and connectivity of the territory, together with reports of violations of the license conditions; urges the State Party to ensure that the license conditions are not violated and that no activity related to mineral resource use is permitted until a comprehensive impact assessment has been conducted in accordance with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context and submitted to the World Heritage Centre; emphasizes that any activity that may have a negative impact on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) must not be authorized.”
UNESCO adds the following in paragraphs 6 and 9:
“Also reiterates that any weakening of the legal protection regime of the property or its buffer zone in order to facilitate activities related to mineral resource use is incompatible with the protection requirements established by the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the Convention.”
“Finally, requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by December 1, 2027, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above recommendations for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 50th session.”
I want to emphasize that, despite its diplomatic language, UNESCO has taken an extremely firm position this time, recognizing the emergence of a serious threat to the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve. I would also remind readers that UNESCO is one of the world’s most authoritative international organizations, and that the Committee’s decisions carry considerable political and international legal weight for World Heritage properties.
The President of Russia previously stated that there are no plans to ban UNESCO in the country and that, despite conflicts around the world, the organization remains recognized as credible and respected in Russia. Russia also has no plans to withdraw from its agreements with UNESCO.
Sikhote-Alin nature reserve
Now let us turn to the official statement issued by the administration of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve. I want to immediately recognize their courageous position and express my profound gratitude, because they were among the very few who stood up, spoke openly about the problem, and categorically opposed the destruction of this wildlife refuge. That is rare today!
I quote:
“The development of an open-pit mine in the upper reaches of the tributaries of the Kolumbe River—one of the reserve’s main waterways—will inevitably cause irreversible changes to its ecosystems: contamination of watercourses, degradation of habitats used by rare plants and animals, and disruption of the migration routes of large mammals, including the Amur tiger. Blasting operations, the constant presence of machinery and people in the immediate vicinity of the protected territory, and light and noise pollution will destroy the very pristine character for which the reserve was established. A transition to industrial mining within the reserve’s protected zone is unacceptable without a comprehensive, independent, and scientifically sound assessment.”
“Long-term observations by the reserve’s staff show that even more than 100 years after the fires documented by Vladimir Arsenyev in the early 20th century, forest vegetation in the burned areas has still not returned to its former condition. This project would involve logging, earthworks, open-pit mines, and heavy infrastructure capable of causing irreversible damage to the reserve’s ecosystems.”
“If the project is implemented, the connection between the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve and Udege Legend National Park will be disrupted. This corridor is critically important for the conservation of the Amur tiger and other large mammals. The conservation of the Amur tiger is recognized as a priority objective of the Russian Federation. The Amur Tiger Conservation Strategy emphasizes that preserving migration corridors between nature reserves and national parks is an essential condition for maintaining a sustainable population.”
“Disturbance of the soil cover, blasting operations, and the storage of excavated rock in river headwaters may contaminate watercourses, alter seasonal runoff, and degrade aquatic and riparian ecosystems. During the previous attempt to explore the deposit in 2017, changes were identified in the composition of aquatic organisms and the condition of the watercourse. Samples collected six years later showed that the aquatic community had still not recovered. Mining will inevitably result in the destruction of river systems.”
“The Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve is a key component of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage property ‘Central Sikhote-Alin’—the only such property in Primorsky Krai. Threats to the property’s state of conservation may lead to a reassessment of its integrity under the Russian Federation’s obligations to UNESCO. In that event, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee may consider placing the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger, which would constitute formal recognition of serious risks to its preservation and the need for additional protective measures.”
“The implementation of a major mining project within the protected zone of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve involves a combination of direct and indirect environmental risks that must be considered together.”
This is an exceptionally strong and direct statement: the administration of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve, this sacred wildlife refuge, categorically opposes attempts by major business interests to begin industrial resource extraction within its protected zone. I shake their hands firmly! This is outstanding leadership and a complete understanding of the threat hanging over the reserve.
Journalists
Several major media outlets have also joined the defense of the reserve and were not afraid to report the issue publicly. I want to quote the newspaper Dalnevostochnye Vedomosti.
“In Primorsky Krai, within the protected zone of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve—one of the largest reserves in the Russian Far East and the largest within the Amur tiger’s range—a road has somehow appeared, as if by accident. The forest has been cut down. Ural-based gold miners from Glukhoe Gold Mining Company LLC are conducting geological exploration at the mineral site of the same name. The road appeared outside the designated exploration area. But there is not the slightest doubt that the two are connected.”
“As we previously reported, businesspeople from Sverdlovsk are conducting geological exploration and planning gold mining approximately 100 meters from the boundary of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve. The development of open-pit mines within the protected zone is strictly prohibited by the relevant Regulations. More precisely, it is prohibited for now: the Primorsky Krai government and Glukhoe Gold Mining Company LLC recently signed an agreement to develop primary gold deposits at this site. Capital investment of 48.3 billion rubles has been announced. Work is now underway to amend the Regulations governing the protected zone, establish a Priority Development Area regime, and obtain all necessary approvals and permits, including authorization for mining.”
“The environmental prosecutor’s office conducted inspections and identified violations. In particular, its responses to Deputy Kornienko mentioned the absence of a forest development plan, the destruction of viable young growth and fertile topsoil, and violations of the terms governing use of the mineral resources. Officials were fined, and the possible suspension of the license to use the site was raised. But Glukhoe Gold Mining Company effectively got off with little more than a slap on the wrist: it was given nine months to correct the violations. The work continues.”
“Sentinel satellite images show that between May 10 and June 4, 2026, a new section of unpaved road approximately 500 meters long appeared within the reserve’s protected zone. The road leads toward the reserve and the Groznaya River, one of the tributaries of the Kolumbe River. It is clear that any earthworks or alteration of the terrain in that location may contaminate protected water bodies. (…) A forest development plan for the reconstruction or major repair of a motor road must be posted on the official website of the Primorsky Krai Ministry of Natural Resources at least 15 days before work begins. No such plan has been posted. In other words, the road was simply built.”
I want to conclude this article with a quotation from the newspaper that captures the entire essence of the problem—something everyone understands, yet regional businesses and officials, apparently feeling completely immune from consequences, continue to destroy wildlife with blatant impunity.
“It is obvious that Glukhoe Gold Mining Company is preparing to begin extraction. But to act this brazenly…”
“It is worth asking how many more violations must occur before Glukhoe Gold Mining Company finally has its license revoked and is prohibited from killing Primorye’s protected taiga.”
Keep fighting
My friends and allies! Right now, we have launched the second wave of public action against this madness. Updated instructions explaining what each person can do to defend the reserve are available on our “Green Page” through August 15, 2026.
Take part.
The more people who refuse to stand aside and instead rise to defend the reserve, the greater the chance that its destruction will be stopped! But we must act together. With the support and official positions of both UNESCO and the reserve’s administration, and with enormous numbers of people joining the defense with the assistance of major media outlets, we have a real chance to wrest the Sikhote-Alin refuge from the greedy hands of commercial interests.
Act now! Time is running out!
© PAVEL PASHKOV
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The destruction of nature has become planetary in scale: over the past 50 years, wildlife populations have declined by 73%, forests are being cut down, rivers are polluted, and ecosystems are degrading. The last remaining nature reserves are isolated and increasingly under pressure from states and corporations. To stop this crisis, the global protected-area system must be urgently changed. We propose a concrete plan — the Territories of Full Ecological Tranquility (TFET) — and are setting out on expeditions to develop their future boundaries.
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