The occupiers announced their intention to develop tourist infrastructure around the biosphere reserve «Askania-Nova» and on the temporarily occupied left bank of Kherson region.
This was reported by media controlled by the Russian Federation.
Thus, the occupiers plan to create eco-trails within the reserve, build a congress hall «Askania-Nova» and arrange campsites in Chaplynka and near the villages of Hryhorivka, Ivanivka and Strohanivka.
According to the occupiers, these measures are meant to turn the reserve from a transit point on the route into a separate tourist destination.
Recall, in November the occupation authorities of the Askania-Nova biosphere reserve announced their intention to “exchange” animals with the Moscow Zoo.
In May 2024 information emerged that the occupiers concealed information about the transfer to the Russian Federation of animals from the Askania-Nova reserve, listed in the CITES Convention.
Throughout 2023-2024 the so-called exchanges of animals, including from the Askania-Nova biosphere reserve, have been systematically carried out by the illegal authorities. The Ukrainian management of the reserve pointed out that such exchanges are unequal.
The reserve itself «Askania-Nova» is in a critical condition, and its employees are not being paid salaries.