These mines are destroying air and water quality, as well as the area's natural beauty. The region depends on forested mountain areas for the beauty and air quality of its tourist destinations. Unfortunately, the condition of these areas has declined over recent decades for a variety of reasons. Beechwood and hornbeen forests in the Crimean mountains are on the very edge of their geographical zone of existence, and even minor human activity can disrupt the natural functioning of these forest ecosystems. Despite this, recreational usage of the forests has increased, although it has been estimated that only 10 percent of the total area of the forests should be used for recreational purposes if the forests and their environmental benefits are to be preserved.
Careless tourists exacerbate the forest fire danger presented by the region's dry climate.
For many years, the authorities have banned tourists from the forests for much of the year because of the damage they cause the environment, but individual tourists ignore the ban. The system for protecting and controlling recreational usage of mountainous forest areas must be restructured by creating a Crimean National Nature Park. While the problems described above result largely from Soviet-era abuses of the land, the transition to a new system of political, economic and social relations has worsened rather than improved the environmental situation in the Crimea. Paradoxically, the decline in industrial production has not lead to a corresponding decline in air and water pollution. The number of users of natural resources has increased sharply, and most of them feel no responsibility to use the resources with a view to the future.