On the eve of congress in Dagestan, Nogais state their intent to dispose lands of Nogai District

On June 14, the village of Terekli-Mekteb of the Nogai District will host a congress in protest against the plans of the Dagestani authorities to award the villages located in the lands of free-range animal husbandry the status of dwelling settlements. Locals say that the law does not allow doing it without their consent. They are concerned about desertification of lands, conflicts with stock-breeder from other districts and absence of employment for young people.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in August 2012, the authorities of Dagestan paid attention to the existence of dwelling settlements without legal status in lands of free-range animal husbandry. The local Ministry of Agriculture decided to give them a legal status.

The organizers of the congress believe that the decisions of Dagestani authorities on the land issue violate the rights of the Nogai people, who keep asserting that because of the poor care the lands of free-range animal husbandry in the Nogai District are turning into a desert. Due to the lack of land and inability to engage in cattle breeding, Nogais are leaving their homeland.

Ismail Cherkesov, a native of the village of Kumli, Nogai District, said that they had begun construction of capital buildings in leased lands, which is contrary to the laws; and locals are unhappy with this.

He has added that because of the year-round grazing, lands of the district are deserted; and this is an ecological catastrophe.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.