Tree felling in Nalchik has been suspended following complaints from residents.

Nalchik residents have secured a halt to the widening of Karashayev Street, which involved the felling of approximately 70 trees. The head of Kabardino-Balkaria, Kazbek Kokov, ordered the work halted, and investigators launched an investigation.

"Caucasian Knot" wrote that in May 2024, a Nalchik resident complained about the felling of approximately a dozen coniferous trees in the city center. It was claimed that the trees were cut down as part of the redevelopment of Nalchik's city center. Other residents, commenting on his report, noted that vegetation is constantly being cleared in Nalchik, and authorities are ignoring complaints.

On Karashayev Street in central Nalchik, the roadway is being widened by cutting down trees. The work began on January 5th by the administration's Capital Construction Department, according to the Platforma Urban Development Institute, also under the Nalchik City Hall.

"We received many comments this morning regarding the felling of trees in the walnut grove area. People are concerned about the widespread tree felling, and we would also like to know whether a preliminary urban planning analysis of the area was conducted before commencing such important work for the city," according to a post on Platforma's Telegram channel on January 5th.

Institute representatives reminded that, by law, major road repairs and widening cannot begin without an environmental assessment, transport modeling, and design justification. A "felling permit" is required for tree felling, and the work project itself must include compensatory landscaping. They also noted that on the "recently renovated Keshokova Street," a section of the road was similarly widened using existing landscaping, "however, this did not solve the congestion problem."

More than 30 trees have already been destroyed

"I've lived on this particular stretch of road that's being widened for 20 years. There have never been any traffic jams there, and there's no public transportation. (...) The argument that all these fir trees are frail and will fall on people is laughable," wrote Telegram user Inal Tugov under the Platforma post.

The work on Karashaeva Street involves cutting down approximately 70 trees; to date, "contractors have managed to cut down more than 30 pines," TASS reports.

Kabardino-Balkaria's Head, Kazbek Kokov, announced today that tree felling and other work on Karashayev Street have been suspended "in response to requests from Nalchik residents."

"The repair project itself will be adjusted based on the opinions of street residents. The remaining trees will be preserved, and those already cut down will be replaced with new tall trees," Kokov wrote on his Telegram channel. He added that he instructed the head of the city administration to meet with residents of the street tomorrow, January 7.

Nalchik City Hall, in turn, announced that the mayor will meet with members of the initiative group that pushed for the suspension of tree felling at 10:30 a.m. Moscow time on January 7. "The meeting is planned to discuss the issues raised and determine optimal solutions," the administration said in a statement.

Investigators interested in the clearing on Karashaeva Street

“Remove the MFC from there and build it in a decent location with a large parking lot. Make a bus stop just above the White House so people can walk from there to the hospital, which is only 100 meters away,” suggested Telegram user Vika, commenting on the phrase “search for optimal solutions.” “Remove the MFC first,” supported Amal Gamal.

“The location allows for bus stops in the square near the government building,” said user 265441. "We need to discuss tree cutting throughout the city. The cutting down of Karashaeva Street isn't just one problem. Idarova Street has been completely cleared! New trees haven't taken root," asserts Madien Madien.

"Knowing how tragic the people are when every tree dies, you're mercilessly destroying the entire atmosphere of our city!! Why do all your infrastructure problems boil down to cutting down everything good and beautiful? Chaotic, inept development, destruction of greenery, the hideous facades of Khrushchev-era buildings (...) Who cares about trees?" - Madina B was indignant.

"It is imperative that spruce trees be restored to replace those cut down, and not small ones, but proper ones. And report on where the beautifully stacked trunks of the felled trees were taken," noted Luigi.

The regional office of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation also responded to complaints about the felling of trees, announcing the launch of a pre-investigation check.

"It is reported that the Nalchik city administration, while widening the roadway on Karashayev Street, decided to cut down mature spruce trees without the consent of local residents (...) Investigators will assess the legality of the aforementioned work," according to a post on the agency's official Telegram channel.