25 Sep 2013 13:14

Putin pledges enlargement of nature conservancy zone in Arctic

SALEKHARD. Sept 25 (Interfax) - Russia will significantly expand the nature conservancy zone in the Arctic, Russian President Vladimir Putin told an Arctic forum in Salekhard.

"We intend to significantly enlarge the Arctic network of nature conservancy territories," he said.

The president reminded the audience that such conservancy zones made up about 6% of the Russian Arctic or almost 322,000 square kilometers.

"We plan a manifold increase," the chief of state confirmed.