Residents of a village in Anapa protested against a cemetery near residential buildings.
Residents of the Chekon village recorded a video message to the mayor of Anapa, demanding that he prevent the establishment of a new cemetery on land whose groundwater supplies their wells with drinking water.
The villagers, who contacted Svetlana Maslova, are concerned about work that has begun near their homes on Novaya Street. "On a site near the river mouth, right in the riverbed and in close proximity to the water, they have begun laying out the groundwork for a new cemetery," one resident says in the video.
The video message was published on Telegram by blogger Yuri Ozarovsky, whose channel has over 46,000 subscribers. By 10:30 PM Moscow time, the post had garnered 150 views.
According to local residents, they are categorically opposed to the decision to locate the cemetery near the river, which serves as a source of water and has a "unique ecosystem." The petitioners insist that burials near a body of water pose a direct risk of soil and groundwater contamination, which is dangerous for both nature and human health.
Residents emphasized that the site where the work is being carried out has historically been a recreational area for the entire village. Its conversion to a cemetery will deprive the village of this recreational area. Furthermore, the villagers claim that residential buildings are located too close to the proposed burial site, violating sanitary standards and the moral rights of residents.
"This is very unfortunate. Our windows will overlook this cemetery. I have a well in my yard, which is used not only by me but also by my children. Groundwater will carry cadaveric bacteria into our well. Save us and help us! Three hectares of land have been allocated on Shkolnaya Street; why is everyone so fixated on this wretched piece of land?" - another resident complained.
The residents demanded that the issue be monitored, that work to establish the cemetery be suspended, and that a meeting be held with their participation to find an alternative land plot. "We hope for your understanding and a fair decision," they concluded.
By 10:45 PM Moscow time, neither Anapa Mayor Svetlana Maslova nor the city administration had commented on the Chekon residents' complaint.
"Caucasian Knot" also reported that Sochi Cossack Vladimir Galka was unable to secure through the courts the return of ownership of a land plot seized by the authorities, which he has been farming for 30 years.