The plan for the development of Sochi until 2032 includes new construction in a part of the Sochi National Park, despite objections from the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
 

The city authorities claim that the affected territory is not officially protected areas and the national park integrated the land during the demarcation of its boundary.

 

The Sochi National Park covers an area of about 1,400 square km and is part of the Western Caucasus UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Sochi Mayor Anatoly Pakhomov insisted that the development plans were nothing to do with the Black Sea resort hosting next year's Olympics, the first time the Winter Games have been held in Russia.

 

He claimed that the work proposed was necessary to ensure the development of Sochi and would have been carried out anyway.

 

Pakhomov said: "I believe that we'll stop chaotic construction with the adoption of the new master plan.

 

"One should not link the master plan with the preparations for the Olympic Games.

 

"One thing does not interfere with the other."
 

The Russian division of Greenpeace has claimed that the construction of several transport and infrastructure facilities on the territory of the Caucasus State Biosphere Reserve, in specially protected areas of the Sochi National Park, would be a gross violation of Russia's international commitments arising from its membership in the UNESCO convention on protecting world cultural and natural heritage.