Russian Luxury Dachas an Environmental Threat?
Kremlin in the crossfire as environmentalists seethe over Russian luxury dachas.
Feb. 5, 2010 — -- Moscow is in the clench of icy frost these days. For weeks the mercury has plunged to -15 degrees Celsius, -20 or even -25. Icebreakers ply the Moscow River and ice skaters can be seen cutting figures on Red Square. But you won't find the cold and snow in every corner of the country. Along the Russia's Black Sea coast near Sochi, where the 2014 Winter Olympics are to be held, spring-like conditions prevail. This weekend, temperatures there even reached 15 degrees.
The climate is Mediterranean, and each year sees 300 days of sunshine. There are long beaches and palm tree-lined promenades that attract not only Russian people looking for a break, but also the country's highest officials.
But environmental organizations claim that the Kremlin is sending in middlemen to Russia's warm shore to build a holiday resort with a view of the sea and an idyllic bay -- right in the center of the protected Bolshoi Utrish nature reserve, established in 2001 under then-President Vladimir Putin.
Dar, which means "the gift" in English, is the name of the secretive organization expacting to develop the property. The business is set up as a "fund for regional, non-commercial projects." And although the institution doesn't have its own Web site, it does appear to have the best possible connections. The bank belonging to state-owned Gazprom provided the firm with a loan of over $460 million in 2008.
Now a pamphlet for the "sport and wellness center" has emerged, and it shows the massive scope of the complex. A yacht harbor is planned next to the beaming white villas as well as a concert hall and a helipad for up to three helicopters. Around 7,000 square meters of living space are planned for the numerous staff and security guards. Package tours don't look like this.
The project appears to have been approved by high-level officials surrounding President Dimitry Medvedev -- possibly including Vladmir Kozhin, who as head of the Office of Presidential Affairs is also responsible for Medvedev's official residences, or Russian Security chief Evgeny Murov, who directs the Federal Protection Service (FSO) and is responsible for the president's protection.
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