Even as its diamond mining activity carries on, albeit at a slower pace, amidst the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic, ALROSA has continued to support a variety of efforts to protect and strengthen the local eco-systems in the mining areas of Yakutia.

Two recent projects in focus include one to boost the number of wild reindeer through the creation of a specially protected natural area and the other to help in preserving the fish population in the rivers as the fishing season commences.

ALROSA reported that the scientists of Yakutia together with its ecologists gathered data of wild reindeer through remote satellite monitoring and are now working on establishing a specially protected natural area (SPNA) for protecting deer at the places of calving, hatching and feeding of young stock.

After discussion at an online meeting of the Commission of the Scientific and Technical Council of the Ministry of Ecology, Nature Management and Forestry of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the ministry and the government have planned to establish a protected territory of 64,152 hectares which will be known as “ALROSA-Rangifer Chekanovsky” nature reserve. It is intended to preserve the summering sites of the brood stock of the Leno-Oleneksky population of wild reindeer and the calving and feeding areas of young.

In 2019, the ALROSA Ecology Center together with the relevant authorities and scientists of Yakutia carried out aerial monitoring of the Chekanovsky Ridge area of more than 3,000 sq.km which, authorities say, is currently the only calving, summering and feeding area for young Leno-Olenyok populations of wild reindeer that needs protection.

“Every year starting from 2016, ALROSA in collaboration with IBPK SB RAS monitors the migration of wild reindeer of the Lena-Olenyok population through the use of satellite radio collars. In February 2019 the company signed a long-term agreement with the Directorate of Biological Resources and Specially Protected Natural Areas of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to assess the current state of tundra populations of wild reindeer in Yakutia. These include the Taimyr population coming to Yakutia from the Krasnoyarsk Territory,” said ALROSA Chief Ecologist Polina Anisimova. “ALROSA provides financing for activities needed to create a new specially protected natural area at the Chekanovsky ridge in Bulunsky district of Yakutia. This financing let to fly around the area and initiate research on justification of the location of protected area. For this year cadastral works are planned.”

An analysis of the population size as well as the age and sex composition indicated a relatively stable condition, a high level of fertility and survival of young stock. The ratio of males and females are close to optimal. The Leno-Olenyok wild reindeer population totals 84,000 individuals. Today it is the only one in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) of commercial importance.

ALROSA has also launched preparation for the fish stocking season in order to preserve the river populations of Yakutia.

From May to September 2020, over 4 mln of larval fish and 65,000 of fry will be released in Lena and Vilyui rivers, as well as in Timir-Kyunde lake and Vilyui reservoir. This will be the largest release since 2012, when ALROSA started cooperation with Chernyshevsk fish factory.

Thus, water bodies of Yakutia will be replenished with 65,000 pieces of sturgeon fry, 1 mln pieces of broad whitefish larval, 1 mln pieces of vendace, and over 2 mln pieces of northern white fish.

“Fish stocking is very important for preserving the aquatic biological resources of rivers, and for the well-being of local citizens. In September, we will consider the implementation of a long-term program on fish stocking with the Government of Yakutia being involved,” said Polina Anisimova, Chief Ecologist of ALROSA.

ALROSA has been cooperating with Chernyshevsk fish factory since 2012. Every year the company provides financing. In 2020, ALROSA invested RUB 10 mln in a fish stocking program compared to RUB 6 mln in 2019.