Russia - Western Caucasus (re-nomination)

Preparation of new nomination "Western Caiscasus" (re-nomination) resolves three basic tasks: 1. Expand the area of existing World I leritage Site by means of broad leaved old-growth forests (currently not represented within the Site boundaries) of Sochi National Park and Sochi Reserve, located on the southern macroslope of Greater Caucasus and forming almost a continuous strip along the southern and south-western boundaries of the "Western Caucasus" Site; 2. Eliminate apparent errors, allowed during formation of the nomination case tile of 1999, forwhich purpose rectify the boundaries and area of the territories, comprising the nomination of "Western Caucasus", correct the boundaries and area of the World Heritage Site; 3. Carve out a part of the area of Lagonaki plateau from the existing World Heritage Site notmeeting the criteria of outstanding global value and integrity due to the reason of considerable anthropogenic disturbance of this area as a result of intensive cattle grazing in the second half of XX century and active tourist activity. 4. Prepare the basis and proposals for creating a buffer zone of Western Caucasus Site in the newboundaries and their common management plan. Area of nominated area: 358,112.94 ha; Area of buffer zone: nil; The site "Western Caucasus-in the new nomination capacity is represented by 175 km long stretch of unpopulated, undeveloped or marginally developed western part of the Greater Caucasus range, which is the most important watershed divide and climatic barrier between Eastern Europe and West Asia, i.e. between the two continents. The site represents all the characteristic landscapes and fundamental types of vegetation of the Greater Caucasus, with pronounced latitudinal and longitudinal zonality. Moreover, the site represents the unique Colchian vegetation.