How are specially protected natural areas developing in the Vitebsk region?

How to attract more people to preserve natural resources? This and other issues were discussed at a meeting of the regional environmental coordination council with the participation of consultants of the project "Public Involvement in Environmental Monitoring and Improvement of Local Environmental Protection Management," funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

Welcoming the council members and guests, Zhanna Aleinikova, Deputy Chairperson of the Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, noted that state policy is aimed at preserving and sustainably developing biological and landscape diversity. In recent years, about 700 thousand rubles have been allocated for the improvement of specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) in the Vitebsk region. Today, they occupy 9.7% of the territory (the republican indicator is 8.8%), or about 400 thousand hectares. Environmentalists face the task of creating a system of local заказники (nature reserves) and natural monuments by 2023. Scientists and university staff are involved in research to identify unique places.

Gennady Gorlanov, Chief Specialist of the Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, reported that 80% of rare and endangered plants (44 species) and almost 90% of protected animals (43 species) grow within the SPNAs. Over the past three years, an inventory of 172 SPNAs in 12 districts has been carried out. New local заказники (nature reserves) have been established: "Golubitskaya Pushcha" (Dokshitsky and Gluboksky districts), "Potoki" and "Shapovalsky Mokh" (Polotsky district), "Koranevskoye" (Beshenkovichsky district), "Ginkovo" (Postavsky district), "Neshchardo" (Rossonsky district).

To preserve biodiversity, ensure compliance with the protection and usage regime, and promote environmental education and tourism, state environmental institutions have been established at seven republican заказники: "Yelnya", "Golubov Sad", "Kozyansky", "Eco-rosy", "Osvyeysky", "Korytinsky Mokh", "Rychi". 50 green routes (water, bicycle, hiking, mixed), both single-day and multi-day, are in operation. Since 2016, 202 excursions have been conducted for 4.7 thousand people.

A competition of ecological initiatives of the EU/UN project was presented to representatives of public organizations and interested structures, and a training seminar was held. The budget of the project "Public Involvement in Environmental Monitoring and Improvement of Environmental Protection Management at the Local Level" amounts to 3.5 million euros.

"Vitebskie vesti".