INTERVIEW: Four new republican significance заказники (nature reserves) will appear in the Vitebsk region by 2015

Technical progress is aimed at the benefit of humanity, but with every step forward, it rebounds and strikes nature, without which man cannot exist... It is impossible to stop the development of technology, but people can preserve the wealth of flora and fauna. Gennady Gorlanov, chief specialist of the Vitebsk Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, told a BELTA correspondent about measures aimed at preserving the diversity of the animal and plant world, using the northernmost region of Belarus as an example. - In the near future, the area of specially protected territories in the Vitebsk region will change. Already this year, four territories will be reserved in the region for the creation of republican significance reserves. The first, Drozhbitka-Svina, will appear before the end of 2010 in the Polotsk district. The next specially protected territories (in 2012-2013) will be the Spory reserve in the Postavy district and the Zhada reserve in the Miory and Sharkovshchyna districts. The latter will have to create the Yanka reserve (Sharkovshchyna district) by 2015. In total, they will occupy about 28.4 thousand hectares. Each of these territories is a unique piece of untouched nature. For example, the future Drozhbitka-Svina reserve contains a whole necklace of floodplain lowland bogs preserved in their natural state. The territory of the Zhada reserve is one of the largest arrays of raised and transitional bogs in the republic. The Spory reserve houses a unique glacial outflow channel, which is a benchmark for similar landforms in Belarus. Scientists have also discovered equally valuable natural complexes in the Yanka reserve. The rich diversity of flora and fauna of these territories is impressive. Each has about 10 species of animals and plants listed in the Red Book of Belarus: black stork, short-toed eagle, marsh harrier, golden eagle, common crane, short-eared owl, brown bear, Aldrovanda vesiculosa, clubmoss, Linnaea borealis, Malaxis paludosa, Carex limosa, Vaccinium uliginosum, and cotton grass. In addition, the Yanka reserve is home to Pulsatilla patens, protected under the Bern Convention. It is important to note that animals and plants exist in these territories not as isolated specimens, but in large habitats. The preservation of this natural wealth is the main task of every Belarusian, as it is our heritage, our present and future, which we must pass on to our descendants. - The new status will undoubtedly contribute to the preservation of the flora and fauna of these lands. However, some managers of agricultural enterprises, as well as local residents, perceive the proximity of specially protected natural areas with great caution. What are these concerns related to and how justified are they? - Usually, such fears arise in connection with the establishment of a special regime in a reserve or sanctuary, which managers must comply with. In accordance with it, melioration work, logging, peat and sapropel extraction, waste disposal, and landfill creation are prohibited in specially protected areas. Certain restrictions are also imposed on hunting activities. However, there are no impossible conditions. In addition, if farm managers operate without violating environmental and water legislation, they will not find anything new in these restrictions for themselves. This also applies to the local population, as no one forbids picking mushrooms, berries, or branches for brooms. It's just that all this must be done within the established deadlines. - Will the areas of existing reserves and sanctuaries change? - Yes. First of all, this will affect the republican landscape reserve Osvyeysky (Verkhnedvinsk district), the area of which will increase by 1358 hectares to 29.1 thousand hectares. This decision was made in connection with the implementation of a project in 2008-2009 to restore the hydrological regime of bogs and peatlands located both within and near the reserve. To preserve the natural complex and reduce anthropogenic impact on nature, the restored territory, which is not currently part of the reserve but is of great importance for biodiversity conservation, will be included in Osvyeysky. - Many specially protected areas of Belarus, including those in the Vitebsk region, extend to neighboring countries, whose lands beyond the border have a similar status. How closely is cooperation with foreign colleagues established, and what major projects for the conservation of natural diversity are planned for the near future? - This topic is indeed relevant for our region, as the region borders Latvia in the west. There is a fairly long border with Russia. To coordinate all efforts aimed at preserving the diversity of these habitats, work is underway to create transboundary natural areas. In particular, a transboundary biosphere reserve is planned to be created on the territory of the Osvyeysky reserve and the "Sebezhsky" National Park (Pskov region, Russian Federation). A similar project is planned between the "Braslav Lakes" National Park and the "Rīči" National Park (on the Latvian side). Agreements between the relevant departments of our countries on cooperation in the protection and sustainable use of transboundary natural areas are planned to be signed this year. They will strengthen international cooperation, improve the effectiveness of conservation measures, and open up broad opportunities for the development of ecotourism. - What significant events, in addition to those directly aimed at preserving the diversity of flora and fauna, will take place in the northernmost region of the country in connection with the UN declaring 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity? - To draw public attention to this issue, competitions will be announced among the residents of the region and communal organizations for the best landscaping and territory arrangement composition, and the best arrangement and maintenance of public recreation areas near water bodies. Traditionally high interest is expected in the photo contest, which will be held under the title "This is Your Land." A separate range of events will be organized for young people. These include various thematic conferences, round tables, and direct interaction with nature during excursions along eco-routes. All these actions are designed to promote environmental education and foster a responsible attitude towards nature. A number of popular cultural festivals pursue the same goals. For example, the annual international festival "Zaborski Fest" will be held at the GPO "Ecorossy" in the Rossony district, and the second mushroom festival awaits lovers of nature's gifts, who are not devoid of excitement and competitive spirit, in the Polotsk district. Olga BOGACHEVA, BELTA.-0-