Financial contributions, referred to as Green payments, serve to fund waste site restoration and procure fire-fighting apparatus.
In a significant development for environmental protection in Yakutia, also known as the Sakha Republic, over 122 spontaneous waste dumps have been eliminated, marking a significant step towards a cleaner and greener future. This achievement is largely attributed to the implementation of 'green payments', a system consisting of various environmental fees, fines, and compensations.
The Ministry of Ecology of Yakutia anticipates receiving more than 500 million rubles in green payments this year, a testament to the growing importance of environmental conservation in the region. However, the specific uses of these funds for environmental protection and forest management remain somewhat unclear, as search results did not provide detailed information on this matter.
Green payments, in general, are financial incentives or compensations linked to environmental conservation efforts, often used for supporting sustainable forest management practices, compensating for restrictions on logging or land use to preserve ecosystems, financing reforestation, biodiversity protection, and fire prevention measures, and facilitating the monitoring and protection of natural habitats and permafrost areas.
In Yakutia, given its vast taiga forests and extensive permafrost, green payments would likely prioritise protecting these critical natural resources. Funds might be used for forest fire management, a crucial issue in Yakutia, as well as projects like reforestation and preservation of biodiversity. The allocation between municipal and republic treasuries would depend on regional legislation governing environmental payments and the responsibilities assigned to local versus republic authorities.
Last year, the Directorate of Biological Resources, Protected Natural Territories, and Nature Parks received various vehicles and equipment, including 13 UAZs, two quad bikes, a GAZ "Sadko", two all-terrain vehicles, two "Nivas", 20 "Buran" snowmobiles, 19 motors with boats, and 10 drones. These resources were distributed across various districts and nature parks in Yakutia, indicating that green payments have already been put to practical use in the region.
The exact distribution of green payments between the municipal and republic treasury remains undisclosed, but it is known that 60% of these payments go to the municipal budget, and 40% to the republic's treasury. This is consistent with the general practice in many Russian regions, where green payments or environmental fees collected from industries are shared to address both local and broader ecological concerns.
Despite the limited information available, it is clear that green payments are playing a crucial role in Yakutia's environmental conservation efforts. Further official sources from the Sakha Republic's government or Russian environmental agencies would be necessary to obtain precise details regarding uses and fund distribution. However, the elimination of waste dumps and the provision of equipment for forest fires and other necessary equipment suggest that green payments are making a tangible difference in Yakutia's efforts to protect its unique and valuable natural resources.
The Ministry of Ecology in Yakutia plans to allocate funds from the upcoming green payments to critical environmental protection projects focusing on forest fire management, reforestation, and preservation of biodiversity, given the region's extensive taiga forests and permafrost. These projects are anticipated to be integral to Yakutia's ongoing drive towards a cleaner and greener future.
It is also worth noting that the specific allocation of green payments between the municipal and republic treasuries is subject to regional legislation and may vary according to the responsibilities assigned to each authority.
