In Veliky Novgorod, Krasnoye Pole Park is being destroyed. In January, authorities promised to preserve it.
Residents in the park rescue group write that city authorities have only just begun developing a concept for the park's improvements. However, they are cutting down trees that are supposedly dangerous. Have begun now.
As activist Elena told NeMoskva, this plot was leased several years ago by a family of businessmen.
"They landscaped it all, left it wild and natural, and took care of it for several years. Now the park has been taken away from them, the lease has been terminated, and the territory has been handed over to the Veliky Novgorod Parks organization," Elena said. "In January of this year, meeting With the city residents, who said they wanted to leave the park as is. The authorities promised that would be the case. But now they've started cutting it down!
What will happen to the park is still unknown; there's no plan. Elena says it's known that cameras will be installed there.
"They'll turn it into something commercial again. But it was based on human principles. They taught children for free, and celebrated holidays there."
Activists say the park is designated a protected natural landscape. However, all the undergrowth and shrubs have now been cleared.
"We once dreamed that the aspen grove would one day transform into a broadleaf forest with oaks and associated trees—lindens, maples, and elms. All the young oaks in the park were marked. Why? To prevent accidental cutting during maintenance, especially in winter. Many new trees were planted, including several red oaks. And now a man with a saw has come along and is cutting everything down indiscriminately. His job is to leave the larger trees and remove the rest, to make it clear," the residents write.
This isn't the first green space in Veliky Novgorod that residents have had to protect from deforestation. Since 2023, the city has been cleared of 180 trees. Novgorod residents believe, and the environmental prosecutor's office confirmed their opinion, that the felling of the trees was illegal. cut down for the sake of the “view of the temple.”
Photo: Krasnoe Pole Nature Park.
