Environmental problems in the modern world are gradually coming to the fore, because the lives of many people on the planet directly depend on the speed of their solution and the set of measures taken. According to preliminary estimates, more than ten million people already live in places that can be recognized as zones of environmental disaster. In these areas, people regularly experience a lack of clean drinking water, dirty air and poisonous soil, on which little can grow. In areas of extreme environmental disasters, the population suffers from an increased risk of cancer, respiratory problems. The percentage of premature death here is off the charts. Life expectancy in such territories is often reduced to the level of the Middle Ages. All these facts make scientists from all over the world sound the alarm, however, it is not so easy to correct the ecological situation on the planet. First of all, a certain uncertainty in the legal regime of ecological disaster zones prevents this. This is especially true for Russia, where there are many blank spots in the legislation on this subject. In our article, we will consider this issue in detail.
Environmental Disaster Zone Concept
All environmental issues in our country are regulated at the legislative level. The concept of an ecological disaster zone and an emergency zone has long been firmly established in everyday life, but ordinary citizens often confuse them. In fact, they have much in common, but in key points they differ markedly.
In this section, we will give readers a definition of the zone of ecological disaster. According to the legislation, this wording is used to mean territories located in the Russian Federation that, as a result of any activity, have undergone serious and irreversible changes in the environment. This affected the health of the population, upset the ecological balance, and also led to the destruction of the region’s ecosystem. In turn, such criminal activity was the root cause of the extinction or degradation of certain species of flora and fauna.
It is possible to declare any territory a zone of ecological disaster in Russia only after a thorough study. To do this, a special commission is created, which includes persons appointed by the federal authorities responsible for environmental activities.
Even in cases when the damage done to nature is significant, the territory is not always declared a disaster zone. Indeed, in this case, numerous restrictions on the use of these lands come into force, which we will talk about a little later.
Environmental classification
Specialists involved in environmental protection and research divide the environmental situation in the regions into several categories. We will list them starting with the most prosperous:
- relatively satisfactory;
- tense;
- critical
- crisis;
- catastrophic.
The established crisis category in official documents may serve as a reason for declaring the territory a zone of environmental emergency. In turn, the assessment of the ecological situation as catastrophic is the first reason for introducing the status of an ecological disaster zone.
Environmental Assessment Criteria
The commissions working in the regions, assessing the state of the environment, usually focus on four main indicators:
- air;
- water;
- Food;
- ionizing radiation.
After conducting tests and measurements, experts can determine how serious and irreversible consequences the human activity has caused the ecosystem.
Procedure for the introduction of environmental disaster status
Not every area with serious ecosystem problems can be declared an environmental disaster zone. The criteria for making this decision seem quite simple:
- A real threat to human health. In cases where the incidence and mortality rate among the local population is significantly increased in certain regions, this becomes a good reason for declaring an emergency.
- Disruptions in the ecosystem.
- A sharp deterioration in the conditions of any human activity in certain territories.
Unfortunately, such criteria are suitable for many regions and places in Russia. However, the law also contains a number of reservations. The process of initiating the introduction of environmental disaster status is possible only when the situation cannot be remedied by measures adopted at the local level.
Most often, the assessment of the ecological condition of the territory is carried out in accordance with more advanced criteria than those that we presented in this section. They are developed by authorized authorities and are used during the work of the commission.
Who decides on the status of environmental disaster?
The territory can be declared a zone of environmental emergency and environmental disaster only by the results of the work of a special commission. We have already mentioned this. However, a fairly wide range of actors can initiate this process.
These include self-government bodies, state authorities, local services responsible for environmental protection. Citizens also have the right to participate in this process. It is noteworthy that both ordinary citizens and public organizations, as well as political parties, have equal rights.
All of the above entities can directly participate in the work of environmental assessment commissions. They have the opportunity to initiate the process itself, request the necessary documents from any government agencies, and provide assistance in the restoration of various facilities.
Boundary definition
Naturally, the difficult environmental situation develops in certain territories, whose borders are sometimes difficult to determine. Therefore, in order to determine the boundaries of the special work.
Most often, administrative territorial units are viewed for this. After that, the ecological disaster zone is established within a smaller territorial unit. In cases where the ecosystem is disturbed in different regions, the external boundary is considered. It is on it that the zone of ecological disaster is established.
Nature management
The regime of the ecological disaster zone implies the introduction of certain environmental management standards. We list them in the following paragraphs of the list:
- The ban on any activity that worsens the environmental situation. The only type of activity permitted in such territories may be related to ensuring the livelihoods of the local population.
- The construction of facilities that should reduce environmental pollution and ensure the social needs of the population is encouraged.
- In cases where privatization of certain state facilities takes place, owners must fully comply with the obligations imposed by the state, which contribute to the stabilization of the environmental situation.
- Environmental risk insurance.
The last paragraph needs some explanation, since it may not always be clear to readers what is meant by this action. In environmental disaster zones that have this status officially, the state obliges organizations to insure the environmental risks of the organization, which theoretically can have a negative impact on the environment.
Measures to remove the territory from the status of environmental disaster
The Government of the Russian Federation makes a decision on the status of certain territories approximately one month after receipt of the relevant documents. For the same period, measures are being developed that should, within the indicated time frame, change the environmental situation for the better.
The set of measures includes, first of all, providing the population with drinking water. Also at the state level, the level of emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere and wastewater is monitored.
Serious events are held to improve the health of local residents who are at risk. They must be provided with quality products, vitamins, dietary supplements and medicines. In parallel, recreational activities for children are organized.
In places recognized as ecological disaster zones, medical services are specially organized. The population undergoes regular medical examinations, and many drugs are given absolutely free.
Social policy is another point in the package of measures, therefore, residents in areas of environmental disaster without any problems are provided with housing, work and other benefits provided by law.
Removal of special status assigned to territories
The process of removing the established status, as well as its introduction, takes a certain amount of time. Any authorities can start the process, but only the government of the Russian Federation makes a decision. Recall that it is she who has the sole right to make decisions of this level.
Conclusion
Environmental issues should concern everyone, without exception. And in Russia, unfortunately, there are enough places claiming the status of an ecological disaster zone. According to the results of some studies, three Russian settlements were included in the list of ten most dirty places on the planet. Specialists included Dzerzhinsk, Norilsk and Dalnegorsk to them. In these cities, the situation has reached a critical level of danger and requires serious intervention by the authorities.
We hope that our article will become an occasion for some readers to become interested in the environmental situation in their region and begin the struggle for its improvement. After all, what our children and grandchildren will live on depends directly on our actions today.