RESOLUTION OF THE MEETING ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WORK IN PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS AND ITS ROLE IN REGIONAL ECOLOGICAL POLICY
(MOSCOW, OCTOBER 15-16, 2002)
Meeting participants noted that, despite administrative and financial difficulties, Russia's reserves and national parks are of vital importance since they are the basis for Russia's ecological network and the main links for regional PNA systems; they also promote scientific research and ecological education. In order to maintain and develop this potential, the participants agreed to:
Ask Russian Minister of Natural Resources V.G. Artyukhov to
set up a Scientific and Practical Council on Conservation at the Department
of Protected Natural Areas and Sites and develop a mechanism for making
vital environmental decisions related to PNAs (scientific research,
level of interference, regulation, use and PNA development).
Ask the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to coordinate research
in nature reserves and national parks with the Ministry's need for information
concerning natural ecosystems, natural resources and environmental quality
assessment for purposes of state environmental control, monitoring,
wildlife studies, OVOS and state environmental examinations.
Ask the Commission for Biodiversity Conservation at the Russian Academy
of Sciences (RAS), the Department of Protected Natural Areas and Sites
and other concerned organizations to advise PNAs on inventory and monitoring
as well as on prospective areas of scientific research related to assessment
of environmental capacity and permissible impact, environmental health
assessment, invasions, and formation of regional eco-nets. In order
to implement this proposal it will be necessary to identify coordinators
from the RAS, from nature reserves and national parks and from other
concerned organizations.
Propose to nature reserves and national parks that they set up public
centers involving all interested parties (local government, businesses,
institutes, schools and the public) to support NPAs, participate in
regional environmental policy, and help develop a civil society. (The
meeting participants called on the RAS, CEPR, the Zapovedniki Ecological
Center, the Biodiversity Conservation Center and other concerned organizations
to help coordinate these activities.)
Ask the MNR to consider improving the organization of the relevant
MNR department in charge of managing PNAs.
Ask the MNR in association with the RAS, the Zapovedniki Ecological
Center, the Biodiversity Conservation Center and other concerned organizations
to develop a system of vocational training for PNA personnel.
Organize public discussions about PNA development strategy.
Appeal to the MNR, RAS and other concerned organizations to convey
to the highest legislative and executive authorities, including President
Vladimir Putin, and to the public, the importance of the unique PNA
system, Russia's most valuable natural heritage, an object worthy of
our national pride and the attention of state and community alike.
