Approximately 500 thousand dollars will be invested in the project to preserve the Yalnya lake-swamp complex in the Miory district
With the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, within the framework of the UNDP project "Peat-2", funded by "The Coca-Cola Foundation", a new stage of preserving the "Yelnya" lake-bog complex has begun in the Miory district.
The problems of Yelnya arose in the 1930s when drainage canals were built on the territory of the bog. After a few years, they lost their economic significance and began to disrupt the ecological balance. The lowering of the groundwater level led to the drying of the upper peat layer and practically annual fires. For example, in 1998 and 2002, 52% of the entire territory was destroyed by fire, which became a real catastrophe for the natural ecosystems of the "Yelnya" landscape reserve. The first works to restore the hydrological regime were carried out around the same time. In 2007-2008, with the efforts of volunteers, supported by the public organization "Association for the Conservation of Birds of the Fatherland", and with the financial assistance of "Coca-Cola Beverages Belarus", several dozen dams and berms were built on the drainage canals. In the following years, about 20 more structures were built. As a result, over eight years, the water level in the bog has risen by 1 m.
During the construction of water protection structures, experience and technologies used for bog recreation in Ireland and Scotland are now being applied. The canals will be blocked with special environmentally safe PVC sheet piles of domestic production. During the project implementation, UNDP specialists will monitor the hydrological condition of the bog and observe the restoration of biodiversity.
Alexey Artsheuski, head of the UNDP project "Peat-2", noted that the "Yelnya" reserve has significant economic potential. At one time, it was one of the largest cranberry bogs in Europe. Scientists estimate the annual potential berry harvest at several million dollars. After major fires, the plant plantations are gradually recovering. With proper promotion, the "Yelnya" reserve can become a center for ecological and scientific tourism. The territory of the swamp is inhabited by 98 species of birds, 23 of which are listed in the Red Book of Belarus. Yelnya is also an important transit point for migratory birds, and the reserve has the status of a Ramsar site. It is also famous for its wild medicinal herbs: hundreds of recipes for original drinks and infusions, which can become a regional brand, have been preserved in the surrounding villages.
Sergey Lyashuk, "Vitebskiye Vesti".