Environmentalists from all over the world urge Belarus authorities not to destroy Almany
The International Mire Conservation Group (IMCG) has expressed its concern about the on-going and planned construction of a system of roads on Almany mires.
As reported earlier, Belarus swamps, often called Europe’s Lungs, are in danger: unique Almany mires and Dzitva boggy interfluve are being destroyed.
The organisation appeals to the Belarusian government to ensure that the extent of the mire ecosystems and their predominantly untouched natural character and integrity will remain intact. The corresponding resolution was adopted at the18th IMCG General Assembly in Utrecht on 31 August 2018. The event was attended by members from 23 countries and 6 continents.
Almany marshes are Europe’s largest untouched wetlands with an area of over 900 km2. This complex of swamps is special, since it was not affected by the reclamation. In Soviet times there was a military training ground where secret weapons were tested.
An array of wetlands is located on the territory of Belarus and Ukraine. But Palessye forestry has recently building 14 km of road straight through the untouched territory. Sand for construction is taken from glacial dunes that build the landscape of the neighbourhood. The road will form a dam, violating hydrological regime. One part of the bog will collect water and turn into a pond, and the other one will dry out. Belarusian officials say that the road would not do harm, becoming a good natural barrier. According to the authorities, they took into account the needs of promoting fire safety and harvesting timber. However, environmentalists state that fires in swamps happen mostly due to human aspect; as for forest industry development, it would be enough to expand the old road around the islands.
“The last large mire complexes preserved in a natural state should, in any part of the world, be preserved as the heritage of humankind and for the sake of nature. Furthermore, their preservation is substantial for current and future scientific research, including as a reference for the conservation and restoration of mires, where they have been degraded by unsustainable use,” the resolution reads.
The IMCG is a worldwide organisation of mire specialists with a particular interest in peatland conservation.
