29 Dec 2012 11:36

Medvedev signs directive on establishing national park, natural preserve

MOSCOW. Dec 29 (Interfax) - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a directive on establishing the Sailyugemsky National Park in the Republic of Altai and the Wrangel Island natural preserve in Chukotka.

The directives have been drafted by the Natural Resources Ministry, the government press service reported on Saturday.

The establishment of the Wrangel Island preserve is aimed at preserving conditions for natural functioning of Arctic coastal and island ecosystems and protecting the habitats of polar bears and marine mammals from unfavorable anthropogenic effects.

The document is also intended to promote environmental tourism in the Russian part of the Arctic.