The Chernobyl exclusion zone will be turned into a revival zone: the government has taken the first step

The Chernobyl exclusion zone will be turned into a revival zone: the government has taken the first step shutterstock
Katerina Belousova

It is necessary to create conditions so that international partners, investors and the public are confident in the transparent and unhindered development of the Zone

The Cabinet of Ministers registered in the Verkhovna Rada draft law No. 9338 "On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine regarding the development of territories affected by radioactive pollution as a result of the Chernobyl disaster."

The document creates the basis for the transformation of the Exclusion Zone into the Revival Zone, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources reports in Telegram.

It is noted that the draft law makes changes to six laws and introduces legal foundations for:

  • transformation of the Exclusion Zone into a modern scientific platform for conducting research;
  • simplification of the rules for visiting the Zone by tourists;

The message emphasized that despite the temporary stoppage of the development of this direction due to the war, it is necessary to regulate it legislatively.

  • introduction of transparent rules for conducting economic activities in the Zone;
  • creation of conditions for the development of the Chernobyl radiation and ecological biosphere reserve.

It is noted that the document proposes to resolve the issue of funding for the development of the reserve, fire protection and conducting scientific research.

"The approval of this document is the first step towards the implementation of the concept of transforming the Exclusion Zone into a Revival Zone. It is important to create all the necessary conditions so that after the victory of Ukraine, our international partners, investors and the public will be confident in the transparent and unimpeded development of this unique Zone", – emphasized the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ruslan Strelets.

Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that Ukraine received €15 million for the restoration of the Chernobyl zone from international donors, and the total revenues should reach €225 million.

As EcoPolitic previously reported, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Ruslan Strilets, said in June 2022 that the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone could become a world scientific center for the study of the peaceful atom.

Related
Rare species of river fish have been discovered in Chernobyl
Rare species of river fish have been discovered in Chernobyl

The nature reserve has become a home for two endangered species

Forests and mountains sacrificed for renewable energy: activists urge the Rada not to vote for Bill No. 15122
Forests and mountains sacrificed for renewable energy: activists urge the Rada not to vote for Bill No. 15122

Parliamentary lawyers agree that the implementation of the provisions of the law will have a negative impact on land containing forests, marshes, water bodies and fields

Ukraine to review eco-tax rates on waste disposal: an overview of the draft bill
Ukraine to review eco-tax rates on waste disposal: an overview of the draft bill

Once martial law has ended, the authorities are proposing to gradually increase the rates

Ukraine needs a transparent NETS that will support the decarbonisation of businesses — EBA
Ukraine needs a transparent NETS that will support the decarbonisation of businesses — EBA

The business community is convinced that the system requires a separate fund to finance low-carbon projects