The war has already affected 20% of reserves and 3 million hectares of forest in Ukraine

A full-fledged war has already affected 20% of nature reserves and 3 million hectares of forest in Ukraine, as WWF-Ukraine informs on Facebook.

Today, November 6, is the International Day for the Prevention of Environmental Exploitation in War and Armed Conflict, when the world community unites to oppose the exploitation of natural areas, valuable resources, and biodiversity. After all, the damage caused to the environment of one country as a result of armed conflicts affects the well-being of the world society as a whole, and this impact can last for generations.

In Ukraine, the fighting caused the following damage to the environment:

• 20% of nature-protected areas are affected by the war;
• 2.9 million hectares of the Emerald Network are at risk. These areas are a significant part of Europe’s nature protection network, which is under the EU and Council of Europe legislation;
• 16 Ramsar sites covering almost 600,000 hectares are under threat of destruction. They have the status of wetlands with international importance due to their unique biodiversity;
• the wetland “Archipelago Big and Small Kuchugury,” with an area of 7,740 hectares, is currently de-occupied. However, due to its close location to the front line, it is under threat of destruction;
• 8 reserves and 10 national nature parks remain occupied;
• 3 million hectares of forests are affected by the war.

Source