SOCHI, July 14 (RIA Novosti) - The legislature of the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, which is to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, unanimously approved on Tuesday the city's development plan despite objections from environmentalists.
"I believe that we'll stop chaotic construction with the adoption of the new master plan," Sochi Mayor Anatoly Pakhomov said.
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 argue that the affected territory is not officially protected areas and the national park integrated the land during the demarcation of its boundary. Park representatives have not yet commented on the issue.
The Sochi National Park covers an area of about 1,400 square km and is part of the Western Caucasus UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pakhomov said the plan should not be linked with preparations for the Winter Olympics. "One should not link the master plan with the preparations for the Olympic Games. One thing does not interfere with the other."
However, the Russian division of Greenpeace has said 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.
