20.04.2007 // Information-Analytical Center of Kursk NPP

Kursk NPP is starting cooperation with Streletskaya Step nature preserve

A delegation of the Central Chernozemye State Biosphere Preserve has visited Kursk NPP with a view to consider the possibility of cooperation.

A month ago, a group of KNPP employees had an excursion in the preserve, generally known as Streletskaya Step, and invited the local management to pay a return visit.

The guests visited the expositions of the Information-Analytical Center of KNPP. The chief engineer of KNPP Alexander Uvakin told them about the plant’s ecological control and waste treatment systems.

The sides discussed the possibilities of cooperation. The guests showed special interest in the possibility of biospheric research on the split of the plant’s cooling pond.

“This split is a real nature reserve. The pond of KNPP has perfect ecology. It is an excellent wintering ground for many water birds. The split is the only place in Kursk region where one can find the bearded tit. We are ready to jointly study the flora and fauna of this territory,” the director of Streletskaya Step Andrey Vlasov said.

Uvakin supported the idea and called for cooperation in research, information and many other spheres.

The sides adopted a protocol of intention, which will be shortly finalized.

The Central Chernozemye State Biosphere Reserve was founded in 1935 20 km of Kursk. The total area of the reserve is 5,300 h. It is part of the UNESCO world network of biosphere reserves. The biggest part of the reserve is Streletskaya Step, a virgin meadow steppe, the only place in Europe where you can find big areas of virgin black soil. This area is reputed as a model of virgin nature.