Rustam Minnikhanov: It is important to ensure a balance between production and preservation of the ecology

Speaking at an expanded meeting of the Volga-Kama inter-regional Department of Rosprirodnadzor held in Nizhnekamsk with participation of the Head of Rosprirodnadzor Svetlana Radionova, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov has said that the republic has always paid much attention to issues of ecology and environmental protection. 

Minnikhanov said: “Never before has so much money been allocated on ecological issues.  There are large scale state environmental protection programs and we should use the possibilities we have today very efficiently. We have considerably increased financing of improving the quality of drinkable water and water treatment facilities.”

He continued saying that the end-of the year meeting was held in Nizhnekamsk which is the Russian oil processing and petrochemical center, developing large investment projects at Taneko and Nizhnekamskneftekhim Companies. At the same time it is very important to ensure a balance between development of production and preservation of comfortable environment, he said. 

“Ecological issues are the basics of the quality of life of people and we should start with our living environment. We allocate huge amounts of money on improvement of public spaces and yards but if there is no good quality air and water nothing will be possible” Minnikhanov went on. 

“One of the most important tasks is the rehabilitation of 100 hectares of sludge pits and we need federal support to do this”, Tatarstan President said.  

He stressed that it is necessary to shape ecological responsibility from childhood. “We have The School Patrol and will surely continue this project”, he stated. 

The surveillance of the environmental management is extremely important under the conditions of industrial growth, Minnihanov said and added that Tatarstan will continue developing cooperation with the Rosprirodnadzor .

The Head of Rosprirodnadzor Svetlana Radionova thanked Minnikhanov for overall support given to the Service and said:” Environmental protection is very important for Tatarstan and quality of life of every person is our priority”.

In the end of the meeting Rustam Minnikhanov handed in a number of state awards of Tatarstan to employees of the department.