The coal company Kuzbassrazrezugol (UMMC’s raw materials company) will participate in the creation of two protected natural areas in the Kemerovo region.

Thanks to the financial support of Kuzbassrazrezugol, work will begin on the creation of a monument of botanical nature called Artyshta in the Belovsky district, and the Uvaly Luchshevo Regional Botanical Reserve in the Prokopyevsky municipal district.

As announced by the UMMC press service, the project is being carried out in collaboration with scientists from the Kuzbass Botanical Garden at the Federal Research Centre for Coal and Carbochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Its objective is to participate in the conservation of unique natural landscapes and rare species of flora and fauna included in the Red Books of the Kemerovo Region and Russia.

Protected natural areas are composed of parcels of land, water surface and airspace above them where natural complexes of special environmental, scientific, cultural, aesthetic, recreational, and health importance are located. A special protection regime with exemption from economic activity is established for these territories.

It is very important that in this process not only environmental organizations and scientists but also charcoal producers take part,” emphasizes Yury Manakov, Head of the Laboratory for Ecological Assessment and Biodiversity Management of the Federal Test Centre for Coal and Carbochemistry of the Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences. – Moreover, at the Russian level, the experience of safeguarding valuable natural territories by coal companies exists only in the Kuzbass”.

“Our company uses natural resources responsibly. In the course of our activity, we strictly comply with environmental legislation, – notes the Deputy Director for Ecology, Industrial Safety and Land Management of the Kuzbassrazrezugol Coal Company, Vitaly Latokhine – Our duty is to respect the unique nature of Siberia and to contribute to its preservation for future generations. To this end, we are in constant cooperation with the best specialists in the field of biodiversity conservation”.
The scientific research and preparatory work for the creation of the Artyshta and Uvaly Luchshevo nature reserves should be completed by the end of the year.