“This is our land!”
The President, Prime Minister and Minister of defence visited the Franz Josef Land.
President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Minister of natural resources Sergey Donskoy and the special representative of the President on environmental issues Sergey Ivanov visited the Alexandra Land is the only year-round inhabited island of the archipelago of Franz Josef Land.
To the place where they had to inspect the results of work on elimination of environmental damage in the Arctic zone, which was conducted on behalf of the President, they got on the same machine.
Vladimir Putin announced the intention for the second time to visit Franz Josef land in September last year: the head of state said he wanted to personally inspect the results of a global garbage collection in the Arctic. Corresponding instruction he gave in April 2010, when he held the post of Prime Minister.
Then Vladimir Putin drew attention to the problem of pollution of the Arctic and the deterioration of its environmental provisions, and stated that in this area it is necessary to conduct “spring cleaning”.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the significant reduction of military activity here remains such a cesspool, what we see. From 40 to 60 thousand tons of petroleum products are conventionally stored. The level of pollution exceeds permissible limits in six razvedki Putin
Assessment of the Arctic exploration expedition, which carried out work in 1995-2005, on the Franz Joseph Land was thrown 250 thousand barrels of oil products, scrap metal, coal and equipment: aircraft, radar stations and cars. In the North Bay, where ships from the North the importation for civilian and military purposes, the total area of the landfill was about 100 hectares.
With the support of the government
On the island year-round work, the military, border guards and the ecologists — a total of 1,200 people. To report on the results of the “General cleaning” instructed the Minister of natural resources Sergei Donskoi. According to him, the efforts managed to remove 42 tons of waste at a cost of 2.5 billion rubles.
The head of state noted that the program was able to implement largely through the efforts of the Russian government.
Was the beginning when I was Chairman of the government, continued Mr President, as Chairman of pravitelstvenny Putin
— Regularly allocated funds for all, in turn, said Dmitry Medvedev. But the total need (funds — “Izvestia”).
Despite the low temperatures — this time in the Arctic is minus 27 degrees and strong wind — Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev went to the observation platform, located near the North pillar. That’s where a panoramic view of the Arctic ocean and icebergs. And from there inspected the motorcade wheeled and tracked all-terrain vehicles, after which the head of state sat in the Rover on the seat next to the driver, the other located in the passenger compartment. Before leaving, the President waved to the reporters:
— Don’t freeze out there! — he wished the media representatives.
The delegation went to inspect the so-called ice cave that is used for scientific work. It is a failure in the glacier, allowing to study permafrost under natural conditions, without drilling and destruction of the glacier.
This ice cave was discovered a few years ago. According to scientists, it is formed by the melting glacier. Due to the fact that this process continues, its configuration is constantly changing. Now in the cave are conducted to study the lower layers of permafrost, or permafrost.
Russian Arctic
Unlike normal trips, this time the protection of the first persons were armed with machine guns: this precaution is needed in case of occurrence of polar bears. According to the staff of the national Park “Russian Arctic”, the polar bear is a real threat to the life and to cope with them is very difficult.
The President and Prime Minister over tea and talked to the national Park ecologists working on the island in shifts.
In the room for tea first became Sergei Ivanov and Sergei Shoigu. The special representative of the President noted that the delegation from Moscow brought to the archipelago, weather permitting. On the island by this time the verse is really strong wind and it got warmer.
The Minister of defence decided to consider photos of the Soviet ship and a German airship. He explained that in 1932 the two vehicles was found off the coast of the archipelago. Until the end of the Second world war, the island Alexandrov belonged to Germany.
— This is our land! — said Sergei Shoigu.
Environmentalists treated the guests Pomeranian pie and Arkhangelsk marmalade, telling about the features of the Arctic nature. In conclusion, the President thanked them for the interesting story.
— Heard Mr Medvedev — said Vladimir Putin.