Murmansk Region

	Physical geography and climate
	Population, economic development and infrastructure
	Indigenous land use and dependence on the environment
	Environmental threats
	Map (1997)
	Article collection

Environmental threats

The condition and availability of pasture lands is of critical importance for economic reasons and for the maintenance of the indigenous culture on the Kola Peninsula. Overgrazing is not a problem here as it is for the Scandinavian Saami, though a number of threats for the environmental-economic base of the reindeer culture exist:

1. Radioactive pollution of pasture lands has been a continuous problem since the atmospheric nuclear bomb tests in the 1960s. In addition, an accident at the unsafe nuclear power plant at Polyarnye Zori could have disastrous consequences for the indigenous subsistence.

2. Industrial pollution is a severe problem in the vicinity of mines and smelting-works, especially the Nikel, Zapolyarnyy and Monchegorsk plants. The problem will increase with further industrial development under the present economic conditions in Russia.

3. Loss of pasture lands to other land use due to the temporary lack of sufficient animals is a present threat, as long as the economic situation in Russia forces the authorities to sell land for industrial purposes.

4. Misuse of pasture lands for military purposes and other, unlawful activities by military personnel.

5. Socio-economic reasons may cause a reduction of reindeer herds and hence of the sustainable base for the future development of this subsistence. Reindeer theft by military personnel and others is a severe abuse that often occured (especially 1990s) and - beside the economic loss - forced the reindeer breeders to rear new draught animals.

The condition of productive rivers and lakes, especially the salmon rivers, is critical for securing additional fish diet and a sustainable combination subsistence.

1. To maintain the productivity, salmon spawning areas and migration routes must remain intact and not be disturbed by further industry or infrastructure development.

2. Commercial, international fishing tourism is threatening this economic branch for the Saami.

The gathering of berries, herbs and mushrooms has gained a renewed subsidiary significance due to the present economic situation, and demands the protection of natural environments around residence areas.