Supreme Court of Russia refused to stop construction of two cargo ports in Sochi

Ecologists failed to achieve cancellation of construction of two cargo ports in the Imereti Valley of Sochi. Today, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation has rejected the claims lodged by the international public organization "Social and Ecological Union" and one Russian citizen, who demanded to stop the construction of the ports, since, in applicants' opinion, it caused damage to nature.

The claimants were appealing against the 2006-2014 governmental programme of building Olympic objects and Sochi development as a mountain-climatic resort. In their opinion, as a result of building two cargo ports and their placement in the Imereti Valley, which is an especially protected natural territory and one of the key ornithological territories of Russia, the temporary sites of migrating birds can be destroyed.

Also, in their opinion, dolphins will suffer from destruction of their nutrition reserve.

The claim states that construction of the ports will break citizens' right to favourable environment. The document notes that over 3000 persons live in the would-be construction site. Residents of Sochi and ecologists are also afraid that as a result of construction of the ports, the Imereti Valley can be flooded.

"We ask to forbid construction of the objects, as it can lead to degradation of natural ecological systems, change and (or) destruction of the flora genetic stock. This zone has relic and rare plants and trees from the Russian Red Book," runs the claim.

In claimants' opinion, in the course of construction 65 hectares of natural territory will be completely and irreversible destroyed.

Representatives of the respondent, namely, officials of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development of Russia would not agree with ecologists' arguments. In their opinion, the developer shall compensate all the caused damage, as the "Interfax" reports.

After refusal of the Court, the applicants said that they would appeal against this decision to the cassation instance; they also plan to challenge the ecological examinations held.