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Sunday 05.02.2012

Valgach will become a reserve

The island is a sacred place for the Nenets of northern Russia.

The Nenets Autonomous Okrug has made a decision on the establishment of regional nature reserve on Vaigach Island and 33 adjacent islands.

The decision might preserve the vulnerable nature environment of the area against growing industrial pressure on the area.

Located south of the Novaya Zemlya between the Pechora Sea in the west and the Kara Sea in the west, the Vaigach island is likely to experience growing industrial pressure from shipping along the Northern Sea Route and the exploration of oil and gas in the surrounding sea areas. Both the Pechora and Kara seas have huge offshore oil and gas reserves.

A total of 242,778 hectares of land will be included in the new reserve, Pravda Severa reports.

The department of the Natural resources and Environment in the Nenets Autonomous administration spearheaded the establishment of the reserve, the regional press service informs. The “reserve” status will help to safe flora and fauna, historical and cultural heritage of the Far North island.

The Nenets living in the Vaigatch will keep their traditional businesses as reindeer farming, hunting and fishing, Pravda Severa reports.

Vaigach island is historically a sacred place for the Nenets people. According to Nenets legends their gods’ abode was located here. Reindeer-herders and hunters annually visited the island to make sacrifices to the mighty deities and to pray for protection from enemies and good luck in hunting. There are today four minor settlements on the island, as well as a polar research station.