Ecological scrutiny of oil companies operating in Komi begins
A panel of inquiry from the Natural Resources Ministry’s environmental watchdog Rosprirodnadzor has launched a probe into whether the region’s oil producing enterprises observe environmental legislation, Itar-Tass reports.
The watchdog’s deputy chief, Oleg Mitvol, visited the village of Ust-Usa on Friday, where he met with local people.
The villagers told the official there have been ecological problems for quite a long time.
“Ice floating from the oil producing areas has been black for the pasts twelve years. We are no longer able to go fishing. All internal organs in the fish we catch are damaged and the fish smells like oil,” a local resident told Mitvol.
The official said that on Monday the territorial bodies of power will be instructed to examine the Kolva river and its banks to track down those responsible for pollution.
The ongoing inspection was also prompted by complaints against what is said to be illegal forest felling.
Local people claim 900 square kilometers of forest has been destroyed.
Mitvol agreed that “judging by images taken from aircraft and from space the area of forest felling looks far bigger than the 100 square kilometers oil companies have declared.”
The environmental watchdog’s deputy chief said that punishments would certainly be “far harsher than 1,500-ruble fines.”
Those responsible for illegal forest felling and for pollution will be indicted on criminal charges.
“We also expect the oil companies operating in the region to compensate for all of our costs,” Mitvol said.
