UNESCO experts are arriving in Sochi to assess environmental risks of the construction of sport and infrastructure facilities for the 2014 Winter Olympics, the natural resources ministry said on Sunday.

UNESCO will carry out its inspection in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi on April 20-24 together with specialists of the Russian Natural Resources Ministry.

"The visit aims to assess the impact of the planned construction of sports facilities for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games on the Caucasus State Nature Biosphere Reserve that is on the UNESCO World Heritage list," the ministry said in a statement.

Environmentalists have been protesting against developers' plans for Sochi, warning they could damage the unique landscape of the North Caucasus, where some territories are protected as natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

RIA Novosti


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