Most of all the fires attached reed lining - thickets which are
refugee for waterfowl. To preserve the unique biodiversity of the
territory, Volgo-Ahtubinsk flood land is planned to include in the
list of the International Ramsar Convention.
Setting fire to grass is forbidden by the local laws. Despite
the fact that there are some nature preserving organizations like
the natural park "Volgo-Ahtubinsk flood land", forest division,
attempts of completely solving the problem of annual fires failed.
Greenpeace Fire Expedition convinced in it. The participants of the
expedition put out seven fires for two days. Greenpeace experts,
volunteers as well as local volunteer firefighters use modern
technology in putting out the fires. Opportunities of the new
technology were shown to the staff of the park. Blowers and
lightweight pumps can significantly increase the efficiency of fire
fighting.
The complete collapse in the state system of fire fighting in
natural areas, the absence of the federal legislation banning on
bollards leads to numerous fires in Russia, including the unique
areas of Volgo-Ahtubinsk flood land. As result thousands acres of
Volgo-Ahtubinsk reed, its nests and birds winter places are
attached by the fire, - said Mikhail Krendlin, head of Greenpeace
program on Protected areas - To change the situation we asked the
authorities of Volgograd area and other regions to introduce
legislative initiative of a complete ban on herbal bollards.
One of the most important parts of firefighting is education.
The participants of the expeditions, the staff of the park and
coordinators of UNDP on preserving biodiversity of Low Volga flood
lands hold a large firefighting event for kids in Leninsk. Students
learned how to handle fire equipment, painted posters, participate
in exciting games and contests.
Fire Greenpeace expedition started in Astrakhan on 30 March. Its
aim is to draw attention to the problem of fires in natural areas,
to tell about the dangers of herbal bollards and persuade people
not to set fire to the grass in the spring. Within a month,
participants will drive about two thousand miles, moving from south
to north following the fires.