Ecologists plan all-Russian action in defence of Utrish Reserve

On December 26-27, 2009, the all-Russian action in defence of the unique natural territory of the Utrish Nature Reserve at the Black Sea shore, which, in the opinion of activists from ecological organizations, is under threat of extinction.

The Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus, the All-Russian Voluntary Movement "Let's Save Utrish" and the International Social-Ecological Union call everyone who is worried by the fate of Utrish to hold pickets in defence of the reserve in the cities of the Russian Federation.

In the opinion of ecologists, the main threat for the reserve is in plans of the Russian President's office to build a "physical culture and health improving complex" in the Utrish, a network of highways and plenty of elite recreation centres.

The statement of the organizers of the future action runs that implementation of these plans will result in mass destruction of juniper-pistachio woods and unique eco-systems." It is noted also that the construction is masked by "creation in the Utrish of a fictitious reserve, out of which the most valuable areas of its nature, making universal value and national wealth, will be excluded."

In the opinion of ecologists, "during public hearings on the project of this 'reserve', Russian legislation and citizens' right were roughly broken." By their actions and statements, the authorities of the country "strengthen social tension and push the non-indifferent residents of the country to civil resistance," runs the ecologists' statement.

The action "Let's Save Utrish - Russia's Asset!" is addressed, first of all, to President of Russia Dmitri Medvedev, to whose address, according to the ecologists, over 16,000 letters asking to save the reserve territory have been sent already.