Saving Russia’s protected natural areas
With its vast 22 million square kilometres (8.5 million square miles) of land, the former Soviet Union has a fabulous natural heritage ranging from islands in the Arctic to the deserts of Central Asia. But political and economic upheavals in recent years have made it increasingly difficult for Russia and the former Soviet Republics to protect this heritage.
"It was necessary to change public attitudes. It was also necessary to convince administrators of the zapovedniks [nature reserves] that the reserves could not survive without public support.”
Irina Chebakova, a 39-year-old nature reserve specialist, was inspired by an American friend to introduce the movement "March for Parks" to Russia in 1995. Since that date, Chebakova has organised dozens of marches attended by hundreds of thousands of people, and these annual events are helping to change public attitudes and to involve Russian civil society – including the private sector – in nature conservation.
Latest Update
A march to the park
The March for Parks has been growing, and is now a widely publicised, annual event that includes more than 200 marches across the region.
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Mrs Irina Chebakova
Regional Charity Community Foundation "QUALITY OF LIFE"
127473 Moscow
Russian Federation
Tel: (007) 4967516711
ichebakova@4te.ru
