In St. Petersburg, 28 hectares of forest are planned to be cleared to build a school for the children of Gazprom employees. Residents are protesting.
A private school campus for Gazprom employees' children may be built in the Zelenogorsk forest. Residents have proposed it to the governor. To Alexander Beglov, Instead of a large-scale construction project, create an eco-trail in the forest in honor of the heroes of World War II.
"We propose to immortalize the famous names of those buried in mass graves by implementing, at our own expense, a patriotic and environmental project in the Zelenogorsk forest, creating a 'Path of Remembrance,' along the route of which the names of the deceased would be inscribed."- says in the citizens' appeal to the Governor.
In 2005, officials designated the forest for individual housing construction. In 2021, it was announced that 28 hectares of the forest would be cleared for Gazprom construction. A school for 2,000 students, a movie theater, a swimming pool, a gallery, a cafeteria, and housing for teachers and support staff are planned for the site. The area will be closed.
Activists believe the forest should remain accessible to St. Petersburg residents, and another location can be found for the private school. They have received support from members of search teams and several government agencies involved in preserving the memory of those who died in World War II.
This isn't the first Gazprom facility that St. Petersburg residents have been protesting against. They've been protesting for a long time. confront construction of a huge business center on Okhtinsky Cape, where, according to activists, an archaeological park and museum should be located. People are also protesting two skyscrapers, which will appear near the Lakhta Center.
Photo: MK in St. Petersburg