After the publication of an investigation into the luxurious real estate of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his mistress, former gymnast Alina Kabaeva, on the shores of Lake Valdai, it suddenly became clear that part of the reservoir, on the banks of which the palaces are located, has become a "specially protected natural area."

Access there is actually prohibited, violators face a hefty fine and even two years of correctional work.

This was reported on the "Meduza" website.

On the official website of the Valdai National Park in the Novgorod region, a message appeared with the title: "Attention!

Important information!".

It says that, according to the new order of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of Russia, the zone of specially protected natural area (OOPT) within the park has expanded — a part of Lake Valdai has acquired this status.

Territories with the status of protected areas can formally be visited "for the purpose of cognitive tourism".

But it is not possible to go beyond the boundaries of roads or special excursion routes in such areas.

On the tourist map posted on the park's official website, no routes around the lake itself are indicated, and in the official notification about the expansion of the protected area, it is emphasized that "citizens' stay" in the part of the park that has acquired a new status is prohibited.

Violation of protected area rules is subject to administrative liability.

For individuals - fines up to 4 thousand rubles, for legal entities - up to 500 thousand.

Violation of the protected area regime is also punished by the Criminal Code: a fine of up to 200,000 rubles and even two years of corrective work are provided for the task of "significant damage".

According to the official announcement of the Valdai National Park, the status of the territory had to be changed due to the "deterioration of the ecological condition" of the lake.

The ban on visitors was introduced "in order to reduce the rate of its [lake] eutrophication" — the process through which the water "blooms".

Many local residents and regular visitors to Valdai found the ecological rationale unconvincing.

Indignant comments appeared on the park's official social media accounts and on a local forum.

Many wrote that the new ban does not protect nature, but "Putin's country house".

It will be recalled that it was previously reported that the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, together with the gymnast and probable mother of his children, Alina Kabaeva, live in a residence on Valdai and spend money from the Cypriot offshore Ermira Consultants, which is a "community" for the head of the Kremlin and his entourage. 

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