The Public Council which oversees preparations for 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games will gather on Tuesday to address environmental issues.

Russia's independent environmentalists have been protesting against developers' plans for Sochi, warning they could damage the unique landscape of the region, where some territories are protected as natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The meeting will gather the region's lawmakers, members of the local Public Chamber and prominent public figures. It will be also attended by Russia's natural resources minister, Yury Trutnev and vice president of the Olimpstroy state construction corporation, Stanislav Ananyev.

Russia is spending billions of dollars on hosting the Games.

During his annual TV and radio phone-in early last December, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the government is working with environmental organizations to "do everything to ensure that state resources are used not only in a way that does not harm nature, but in a way that benefits the environment."

In October 2009, the Natural Resources Ministry said it intends to support the work of independent environmentalists in overseeing the construction of Olympic facilities in Sochi.

SOCHI, March 16 (RIA Novosti)