The authorities of Kazan commented on the felling of trees along Lake Kaban.

      In Kazan, during the third phase of landscaping the area near Lake Kaban, emergency and old trees that pose a threat to property and the health of citizens were cut down. This was stated by the chairman of the external landscaping committee, Albert Shainurov, at a press briefing. "As for the removal of green spaces, we always inspect them during each operation, identify emergency [trees], and then proceed with their removal. We understand that this area is important for both the residents of our city and for guests, as it is a certain 'tourist Mecca.' We approached this area very carefully," he noted. Specialists from the external landscaping committee made about five trips to the site to assess the local vegetation. As a result, a decision was made to remove several dozen old and emergency trees, and some green spaces are also being pruned. "The safety of people is always our top priority. If we recall what happens throughout the year when there are strong gusts of wind, branches and whole trees fall, damaging others' property, and there can even be casualties," Shainurov stated. Specialists from "Gorvodzelenkhoz" and the municipal budgetary institution "Directorate of Parks and Squares" were involved in assessing the plants. It is particularly noted that 95% of the felled trees are American maples. This species has been included in the list of dangerous invasive plants by Rosleskhoz since March 1, 2026. Additionally, the infrastructure layout will take into account the remaining green spaces. For example, a special path tracing will be created to bypass healthy trees. "As the saying goes, we measured seven times before we cut once. Work is currently ongoing, and pruning is being carried out. A small number of trees remain to be removed," Shainurov said. As an example, the specialist cited the first and second phases of landscaping, which were carried out with maximum attention to greening and allowed for the avoidance of cutting down healthy green spaces. Furthermore, the committee chairman commented on rumors about filling in Lake Kaban. According to him, because the water body is closed, there is no other technology for installing piles, on which walkways for pedestrians will subsequently be mounted. The technology replicates the work that was previously carried out on the opposite bank of Kaban near the new Kamal Theater: a temporary sand embankment is created along the shore, supports are installed, and then the sand is removed. Recall that information about the felling of trees appeared the day before in the Telegram channel of city activist and ecologist Anton Bortyakov. In the published videos, he reported how perennial willows were cut down along Shigabutdin Marjani Street by the shore of Lake Kaban, allegedly expanding the coastal zone. Work is currently underway in that area to prepare for the third phase of landscaping Kaban.