V. Tsalko proposes to introduce eco-tourism service plans for nature reserves

January 17, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Belarusian Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Vladimir Tsalko proposes to introduce eco-tourism service plans for nature reserves. He stated this today at a meeting of the Vitebsk Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, a BELTA correspondent reports. According to the minister, it is time for nature reserves to learn to earn money themselves. To achieve this, it is necessary to make wider use of opportunities to participate in international projects, submit applications for grants, and develop interesting routes themselves. In the Vitebsk region, out of 6 environmental protection institutions managing nature reserves, only two earned money in 2010 - the "Osvyeysky" reserve and the "Ecorosy" environmental protection enterprise. Vladimir Tsalko also stated that some specially protected areas in the Vitebsk region lack the necessary package of documents confirming their status. In the near future, programs for the development of specially protected areas will need to be developed. -0-