The second wave to defend the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve
Wild animals are being stripped of their refuge — business interests are brazenly attempting to take over the unique Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage property in the Russian Far East. Business interests and local officials want to mine gold there, but to do so they are demanding that the boundaries of the protected area be “shifted,” and they have already built an unpaved road approximately 500 meters long within the buffer zone.
The reserve will be destroyed for yet another fortune, even though this territory is one of the last refuges of the endangered Amur tiger, which is listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation. The tiger has already been driven out of nearly everywhere, its habitat is being devastated, and its food supply has been depleted — and now they intend to take away its last chance at Life.
Update
We have generated a major public response. A tremendous amount of work has been carried out by a great many people! Regional media outlets in the Russian Far East are now defending the reserve, the administration of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve has officially opposed its destruction, and UNESCO has also taken a categorical stand against it and is demanding an end to attempts to effectively seize this wildlife refuge. We cannot stop now: there is a chance to save the reserve!
What comes next?
Through August 15, we are launching an even broader public campaign to stop this madness! The instructions on the Green Page have been updated — take part. In addition, a separate Public Initiative has been launched calling for a complete nationwide ban on logging cedar and oak forests. This will also help protect the habitat of tigers and other wildlife.
First.
Study the issue carefully. A separate article presents a chronology of the destruction of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve: what exactly happened and how business interests gradually pursued their claims to this wildlife refuge in order to extract billions.
At the bottom of the article, you will find social media buttons. Be sure to click them to share the article everywhere together with all of the detailed information.
Second.
We have prepared an official document containing a statement regarding the construction of a road within the reserve’s buffer zone. Download it and review it.
File Download the document (PDF) 164 KB
Next, write a brief appeal in your own words. A sample text is provided below:
I request that an immediate investigation be initiated into the construction of a road within the buffer zone of the Sikhote-Alin State Nature Biosphere Reserve and that the actions of all persons involved be given a legal assessment.
According to the available information, the road has already been built toward the Glukhoye deposit despite the cancellation of the favorable conclusion issued by the state expert review for the forest development project, the reserve administration’s official position that any work is unacceptable, and plans to weaken the legal protections governing the buffer zone.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the administration of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve, and the media have already publicly opposed the project. UNESCO officially warns that any activities related to mineral extraction pose potentially significant threats to the Central Sikhote-Alin World Heritage property, its aquatic ecosystems, and Amur tiger habitats.
I request a comprehensive investigation into the facts set out above, the immediate termination of any illegal activities, the identification of those responsible, and the adoption of all necessary enforcement measures to prevent damage to this specially protected natural area.
The detailed appeal is contained in the attached file.
Describe the problem briefly in your own words and state that the details are provided in the attached document.
Third.
Now submit the appeal to the relevant authorities so that investigations can be initiated. Submit it in your own name — this is your civic position. You may need to sign in through Gosuslugi, and Russian government websites may be inaccessible from abroad or while a VPN is enabled.
Enter the required information, place your text in the appeal field, and attach the document you downloaded earlier in the file-upload section.
Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation — to investigate whether the elements of environmental crimes are present and, where legally justified, to bring those responsible to criminal liability.
Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation — to organize a prosecutorial review, stop possible violations of federal law, and coordinate the work of all authorized government agencies.
Rosprirodnadzor — to conduct state environmental oversight, assess the damage caused to nature, and take measures to stop violations of environmental law.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation — to take measures to ensure compliance with environmental law and the legal regime governing specially protected natural areas, fulfillment of Russia’s international obligations concerning the UNESCO World Heritage property, and prevention of projects capable of damaging ecosystems.
Government of Primorsky Krai — to review the project materials at the regional level, prevent the approval of decisions capable of harming the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve, and ensure compliance with environmental requirements in administrative decision-making.
Amur Basin Environmental Prosecutor’s Office — to organize a prosecutorial review, stop possible violations of federal environmental law, protect citizens’ constitutional right to a healthy environment, and coordinate the work of all authorized government agencies if violations are identified.
President of the Russian Federation — regarding matters of strategic importance, preservation of the nation’s natural heritage, protection of specially protected natural areas, and fulfillment of the Russian Federation’s international obligations.
State Duma of the Russian Federation — within the framework of parliamentary oversight, improvement of environmental legislation, verification of compliance with legal requirements in the implementation of commercial projects, and protection of specially protected natural areas.
After submitting the appeals, you will receive responses by email. Publish them publicly to keep the issue current. You can also send them to us through the contact form on the website.
Fourth.
In addition, we have launched a long-term Public Initiative calling for a complete ban on logging cedar and oak trees in Russia’s natural ecosystems. This is another factor driving the destruction of habitat for endangered tigers and other species. Alongside defending the reserve as one of the tigers’ last refuges, we must demand a ban on logging cedar and oak forests. Scientists confirm that 8 out of 10 cedar trees in the Russian Far East have already been destroyed. There is no time left! We must act.
Sign the initiative, review the official document, share it, and help us secure real change.
Every effort matters
Russia’s protected-area system is being effectively destroyed and subjected to attempted seizure. We must fight for nature and defend the right of animals to Life! Their last refuges are under attack — the few places where they can still survive under immense human pressure.
We will make every effort to influence the situation! But the scale of this struggle depends entirely on you — speak out and spread the word. We continue our Mission even in these difficult times.
© PAVEL PASHKOV
Support the work!
The hardest thing these days is to remain independent from the authorities and big business. All our work is carried out entirely with our own resources. Stand with us and support our mission to protect wildlife.