Calls to Legally Define Reserve Boundaries
The Kyiv city prosecutor’s office is taking legal action against local authorities to compel the formal establishment of boundaries for the landscape reserve known as ‘Chervonokhutorski Lakes.’ Although this protected area was designated in February 2020, it still lacks officially approved borders and the necessary documentation, leaving the land vulnerable to unauthorized exploitation.
The Kyiv City Council declared the reserve to include the lakes Velike, Blakytnе, and Rybalske, along with their surrounding 12-hectare riparian protective zones located in the Darnytskyi district. This area holds significant ecological, environmental, and recreational importance. Despite its status, the reserve’s limits have not been formally determined, and no land management plan has been developed or ratified. Additionally, restrictions on land use have not been registered in the State Land Cadastre, and the reserve’s regulations remain unapproved.
Legal Measures Initiated by the Prosecutor’s Office
The absence of clear boundaries increases the risk of illegal occupation and misuse of these protected lands. In response, the Darnytskyi District Prosecutor’s Office filed a lawsuit against:
- Kyiv City Council,
- Kyiv City State Administration,
- Kyiv City Military Administration,
- The Department for Environmental Protection and Climate Adaptation of the Kyiv City State Administration.
The prosecutor’s demand calls for the preparation and approval of land management documentation and the inclusion of the reserve’s boundaries in the State Land Cadastre.
This case highlights the critical importance of properly documenting protected natural areas. Without official boundary recognition, there is a heightened risk of abuse and threats to the ecological balance. The outcome of this legal action could set a precedent for how protected areas are managed and safeguarded across Ukraine in the future.
The ongoing legal efforts to define the boundaries of the 'Chervonokhutorski Lakes' reserve underscore the broader issue of land misuse that has been prevalent in the region. Recently, prosecutors have also initiated legal action against a local council member and others involved in a scheme to illegally seize 72 hectares of agricultural land. This situation highlights the urgent need for stringent measures to protect valuable land resources. For more details on this alarming case, visit the recent charges against local officials.