Russian invaders destroyed entire steppe area of Dzharylhach National Park and two wetlands of international importance
The war affected more than 20% of nature-oriented areas of Ukraine: 812 objects of the nature reserve fund.
This was reported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Censor.NET informs.
514 objects of the nature reserve fund with an area of 0.80 million hectares remain occupied. The Russians destroyed the entire protected area (1588 hectares), the steppe area of the Dzharylhach National Nature Park. Two wetlands of international importance have been practically destroyed: "Great and Small Kuchugury Archipelago" and "Sim Mayakiv Floodplain".
2.9 million hectares of the territories of the Emerald Network - 160 territories that are part of the nature protection network of Europe and are protected within the limits of EU and Council of Europe legislation - are under threat of destruction.
There are 17 wetlands of international importance (protected by the Ramsar Convention) in the risk zone, which have status due to their unique biodiversity.
The habitats of species of flora and fauna listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, the European Red List of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants on a global scale have been damaged.
"This list and the scale of losses may grow, because hostilities are still ongoing in some territories of Ukraine, and the rest are under occupation or awaiting demining," the Ministry of Environment emphasizes.
