According to Albanov, the old fences, which were installed between 1962 and 1964, have not withstood the test of time and have deteriorated, leading to the formation of gaps that allow people to enter the garden's territory freely.
He also noted that in some areas, the invasive plant — bloody dogwood — has overgrown, hindering the growth of cultivated plants used for scientific research. "The dogwood was taking moisture from the soil and wrapping around other plants. We have cleared this thicket," he explained.
In response to residents' comments about the mass cutting down of trees, Albanov emphasized that the work is being carried out selectively, and specialists are aware of which trees should be left and which should be removed. He added that the clearing was done in coordination with the Presidential Administration, which was given recommendations for the preservation of certain trees.
The deputy director also spoke about safety issues arising in overgrown areas. According to him, there have been cases of attacks on people there, including serious crimes. He noted that in some places, "even the garden staff could not pass through," and inspecting the trees required navigating through dense thickets.
Over time, people began to avoid these zones, leading to the neglected state of the territory. He stated that this situation contributed to gatherings of drug addicts, as control over the garden weakened.
Albanov links the deterioration of the Botanical Garden's condition to a lack of funding and staff reductions. During the Soviet era, about 200 people worked in the garden, which allowed for proper maintenance of the territory. However, with salary cuts, many employees left their positions, and care for the garden significantly weakened.
Nevertheless, Albanov noted that scientific research work in the Botanical Garden continues: staff are engaged in the preservation and monitoring of important plants, maintaining them for 30–35 years.
Report from January 14, 2026:
