Within the framework of the Decade of Science and Technology in the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Ecology of Tatarstan closely cooperates with the scientific community
First Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Tatarstan Ayrat Shigapov told reporters about the scientific support of the Ministry of Ecology at a press conference today.
At the very beginning, he noted that in the Republic of Tatarstan, the scientific approach has always been a priority in solving key tasks and aspects. For 30 years, the Ministry of Ecology of the Republic of Tatarstan has had a close relationship with scientific communities. The Ministry has established Scientific and Technical Councils on Ecology and Subsoil Use, which include leading specialists-scientists. The Deputy Minister spoke in detail about the most significant projects over the past 5 years.
As an example of productive cooperation between science and ecology, he cited the new project "Improvement of the ecological state of rivers and reservoirs of the Republic of Tatarstan", which is currently being implemented by the Ministry together with the RGS on the Kazanka River. Every day, Ministry employees and volunteers of the Russian Geographical Society take water samples, as well as regularly inspect the catchment area, conduct hydrological studies.
"Currently, the problem of pollution of water bodies as a result of economic activity remains urgent. If we cope with the impact of unsatisfactory work of treatment facilities within the framework of control and supervision activities, as well as with the support of the national project "Ecology", then the issues of diffuse - unregulated runoff coming from agricultural fields, livestock farms and unequipped industrial sites require special attention and scientific support," explained Airat Shigapov.
According to him, one of the methods of combating diffuse pollution recognized by science is currently being studied - afforestation of water protection zones. Currently, research work is being carried out on the selection of land plots and the determination of the characteristics of the planting of tree and shrub vegetation. It is expected that a set of measures will be developed to restore the river.
Cooperation with science was also close when making decisions on the ecological rehabilitation of the Lebyazhye lake system. A large-scale project on complex landscaping of the territory around the lake system was implemented as part of the Year of Parks and Squares program. To date, the scientific community has proposed to carry out additional monitoring by the Ministry — with the control of the main regimes (hydrological, hydrochemical, hydrobiological) and anthropogenic load of both the Lebyazhye lakes and the Yudinsky quarry.
"The Ministry, together with scientific organizations, including the Lebyazhye project, the Blue Lakes project, is considering the possibility of rationing the anthropogenic load," the Deputy minister said.
With the assistance of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan and other scientific institutes, a system of summary calculations of atmospheric air pollution was also developed. It allows one to objectively assess the cumulative impact on the atmospheric air of all sources of emissions (both emissions from industrial enterprises and emissions from road traffic flows) operating in a particular territory. At the same time, the analysis can be carried out both the existing situation and the planned one.
Now the Ministry has a system of summary calculations for three cities - Nizhnekamsk, Kazan and Yelabuga together with the SEZ Alabuga.
One of the most relevant international topics today is the climate agenda.
In the context of global challenges, which include climate change, it is the scientific potential that will determine the prospects for adaptation of regional systems and "windows of opportunity" for development. One of the ways to prevent global climate change is a course on decarbonization, i.e. reducing the intake of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and increasing its absorption by natural landscapes. And here the key element is the availability of up-to-date information about our territory and its absorption capabilities.
Kazan Federal University together with the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan has prepared a project "Development of a cartographic basis for calculating the sequestration potential of the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan". The project was initiated by the Ministry for inclusion in the Federal Scientific and Technical Program in the field of environmental development of Russia and climate change for the period from 2021 to 2030.
The results obtained can be used and applied in the future for the territories of other subjects of the country.
"Science in the development and achievement of new goals and objectives should become a key element, in connection with which in April of this year, at the initiative of the Ministry, a visiting meeting of the Scientific Council of the Russian Academy of Sciences on global environmental problems was held in the Republic. The meeting ended with the signing of a cooperation agreement that establishes long-term partnerships and the implementation of joint activities aimed at solving regional environmental problems," Airat Shigapov summed up.