1. FIRST "SEAL MUSEUM"
IN AZERBAIJAN Children's Environmental NGO "Gulum" held a presentation of the first
"Seal Museum" in Azerbaijan on May 7, 2001 in Baku. The event gathered
representatives from the Executive Power of Nariman district, Administration of the
kindergarden # 183, which was the base for the museum, representatives from UNDP, USAID
and many others. All attendees expressed true interest in the museum. The event was opened
by children, who declared their love to inhabitants of the Caspian Sea and appealed to
audience with a request to safeguard the Caspian unique seals for future generations.
In fact the museum is very unusual: first, it is not only a museum, but a mini
environmental class, it exhibits not only seals, but other species of the Caspian Sea
marine and coastal ecosystems; second, the museum is transportable and will be exhibited
in the Republican remote rayons as well as in Baku; and third, the museum's main exhibits,
seals, are made considering natural sizes of the seals, and are literally duplicating
living seals. Noteworthy that exhibits were made of artificial stuff only. The most
important is that the museum demonstrates various stages in the life of seals, when they
pup, moult, and mate on the ice or on the islands near the ice, including seasonal
migrations. The decorations truthfully reflect the situation in the Caspian Sea and the
seals' adaptation, which sometimes turn to be unsuccessful. All decorations and exhibits
are naturally colored and were made with extreme accuracy.
The museum, as well as method guidance for tutors in kindergartens and the tale about
juvenile seal “Naughty Juvenile Seal”, were made up and accomplished by NGO
"Gulum", in the frame of the ISAR's Caspian Programme, funded by USAID.
2. EXXON AZERBAIJAN: DOES ANY
HUMAN ACTIVITY CONSTITUTE A MENACE TO THE ENVIRONMENT? The results of Environmental Impact Assessment made for the programme of
exploration drilling for offshore contract area “Nakhchevan”, located in the
South Caspian, were made available to the general public by Exxon Azerbaijan Operating
Company (EAOC) on the 24th May 2001 in Baku, Azerbaijan. An Agreement on
exploration, development and production sharing (PSA) for perspective block
“Nakhchevan”, operated by EAOC, was signed in August and ratified by the
Azerbaijani Milli Mejlis, the parliament, in December 1997. By today EAOC holds share
interest in 6 contract areas in Azerbaijan.
The contract area “Nakhchevan“ 45 km. remote
from the Azerbaijani coastline, covers the Caspian water area with depth from 80 to more
than 800 m and sites 280 sq.km. As on PSA EAOC is obligated to carry out three-dimensional
seismic prospecting between 1998 and 2001, drill two wells, comply with the requirements
set by PSA for environmental preservation and safeguard during drilling works. Testing for
production can last 30 days if done. Generally experts at EAOC consider variations of well
testing and drilling fluids treatment to be optimal from both the environmental and
commercial points of view. Thus, as provided by EIA, removal of mud from cuttings, which
is discharged continuously during drilling works, will be done right to the sea bottom
until the waterdividing column is established. After that synthetic mud and cuttings will
be taken to the board equipment for segregation and subsequent reuse. Water based drilling
fluid, which is of very low environmental impact, preferred by the company for drilling,
will be discharged, previously diluted, right to the sea if not polluted. Polluted water
based drilling fluids will be taken to the shore for utilization. Because of their high
technical performance synthetic based drilling fluids will be used only when water based
drilling fluids cannot be used, for example during drilling at very low levels of the
well, considering project drilling depth of 6444 m. Noteworthy that discharge of synthetic
based drilling fluids is prohibited in Azerbaijan and entire volume of drilling fluids
will not be discharged throughout drilling works. The emissions of combustion products
will take place during very limited period of time, and will not bring any serious
impacts.
The public concerns were regarded to the monitoring
system, lack of information about where and how the wastes will be utilized onshore, and
the status of initial environmental conditions in the contract area. There were also
worries among NGOs if drilling works would not stimulate expansion of population of recent
invader jelly-fish like organism (Mnemiopsis Leidyi). Replying to this question Mr.
Russell Tait, Chief Environmental Adviser, underlined that exploration drilling will take
very limited time, and will not be neither stimulating nor bringing any significant
changes to the environment in the contract area. Representative form the State Oil Company
confirmed that exploration drilling will be done in the right place from the geological
point of view, but questioned EAOC about availability of hydrocarbons in the contract
area. Replying to this tricky question EAOC expressed their hope and confidence that the
structure is perspective. The company was also questioned about mitigation measures like
studying and artificial supporting of declining population of Caspian sturgeons. Mr. Tait
informed the public about Caspian Environment Programme, which is currently taking
analogical initiative.
Noteworthy that the real EIA was better compiled and
presented to the public comparing to the last hearings in February 2001. The betterments
apply to description of EIA and environmental sensitivity, planned works, sources of
possible impacts and mitigation measures, and its presentation. Mr. Tait pointed out that
the contract area located in the vicinity of environmentally sensitive areas. And it is
true: because drilling works will be carried out comparatively close to 2 reserved areas,
3 sanctuaries, and southern part of proposed national park, which may be in a zone of
infection in case of emergency.
But as Mr. Tait said: “Any human activity presents
risk to the environment and that if we plan and evaluate these risks, we can minimize the
potential impacts to the environment.”
1. IRAN EXPORTED US$34.4 MILLION
OF CAVIAR DURING LAST IRANIAN YEAR
TEHRAN, May 9 Asia Pulse - 71.5 tons of caviar worth US$34.4 million, was exported during
the last Iranian year (ending March, 2001). This was an increase of 17 % in terms of value
and a decrease of 15.7 percent in terms of weight compared to the figures for the
preceding year.
The Public Relations Department at the Export Promotion Center of Iran (EPCI) said the
limitations placed on sturgeon fishing and the 90 ton export quota reserved for Iran in
2000 were the reasons for the decrease in caviar supply to world markets.
The Caspian Sea is home for 60 per cent of the world's sturgeon fish.
2. WIND TURBINES: DANISH
VESTASSIGNE GROUP SECURESITS FIRST CONTRACT IN IRAN
(05/11/2001 Europe Energy)
The Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems, world leader in the sector, has
announced its first order from Iran for the delivery of 123 wind turbines worth a total of
DKr200 million (Euro 26.8 million). The contract has been signed with the Sadid Industrial
Group, with which Vestas plans to launch a joint-venture for future projects in Iran. The
wind turbines are due to be installed in 2002 along the southern shores of the Caspian
Sea, a region regarded as one of the most promising in the world from the point of view of
wind power, owing to the very favourable prevailing weather conditions.
3. DROUGHT LIMITS THE PLANTATION
OF RICE IN SOUTHERN CASPIAN LOWLANDS Low level of rainfall & limited snow pack in central part of Alborz mountain
range has created shortage of agricultural water supply in some parts of the Southern
Caspian Lowlands. Many farmers, whose ricefields are locaterd at the far end of the
irrigation ducts & streams, were requested to stop rice plantation for the season, to
avoid drought damages predicted by the agricultural experts.
This stress, along with the low prices of rice in the previous season will create a burdon
on farmers that require immediate government attention.
4. THE MAZANDARAN ENVIRONMENTAL
NGO NETWORK FORMED FOR COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES
Following several meetings & hours of discussions, environmental NGOs of Mazandaran
province created a network to ease up coordination & implimentation of common
activities.
Senior representatives of 5 NGOs, Women Society for Prevention of Environmental Pollution
of Ghaemshahr, Zistgah e Sabz of Tonekabon, Green Front of Babol, Green Group of Behshahr
& Mazandaran Crane Conservation Association (MCCA) were elected as board members of
the Network with Dr. M. Radfar of Green Group of Behshar as chairman.
The Network can be contacted at: caspianian@hotmail.com or medoslove@yahoo.com
5. UPCOMING CEP MEETINGS IN
TEHERAN AND RASHT
following the workplan of different components of CEP, the meeting listed below are going
to be held in Teheran & Rasht (Gilan Province). The participation of representatives
of several of Caspian based environmental NGOs, along with other stakeholders in these
meetings, is of great importance.
TEHERAN:
Sat.26th May -TDA (Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis) Meeting
Sun.27th May-NCAP (National Caspian Action Plan) Meeting
Mon.28th May-NCAP Core Group Meeting
Tue.29th May -CRTC-ER (Caspian Regional Thematic Center- Emergency Responce) Workshop
Wed.30th May- CRTC-ER Workshop
RASHT:
Sat.2nd June-Coastal Planning Training
Sun.3rd June-Coastal Planning Training (Continued)
Wed.6th June-Coastal Planning Training (Continued)
Thr.7th June-Coastal Planning Training (Continued)
Fri.8th June-Coastal Planning Training (Continued)
6. SUMMER HOLIDAYS AND THE
PROBLEMS OF GARBAGE AND SEWAGE Green NGOs of the Caspian areas are all concerned about the upcomming summer
holidays that will bring millions of vacationing tourists to this environmentally fragile
area. The amount of waste material that will be brought into the area by the visitors
& also by the local merchants to supply the needs of these summer guests, are of
unbelieveable volume. For easy calculation, if the average number of visitors on a regular
summer day (not a weekend or national holiday), be considered one million (at least), when
multiplied by 90 days, the end figure will be 90,000,000 turist/day unit, that are capable
of producing an average of 700 grams of waste & 60 liters of sewage each.
Only a month left till the beginning of the summer vacation, some local government
branches, municipalities & NGOs have prepared plans for raising the level of
environmental awareness of these guests. Any suggestion, advise or sharing experinces
would be appreciated & reflected to the local stakeholders via CEP Public
Participation Advisor's office. caspianian@yahoo.com
7. UPCOMING PRESIDENTAL ELECTION
IN IRAN The 8the presidental election will be held on June 8, 2001. Out of 817, only 10
candidates have made it through the legal & constitutional filters. President Mohammad
Khatami is also running for his second term. Nearly 28 million Iranian citizens are
eligible for participation in this election.
During president Khatami's first term, his deputy & head of Depaetment Of Environment
(DOE), Dr. M Ebtekar took great steps towards conservation & rehabilitation of the
precious, unique & diverse environment of Iran. Today, besides publication of several
environmental & ecologically oriented publications, almost every newspaper or
periodical published in the country, has at least one or two articles about local,
regional, national or global environmental problems & issues.
8. SYMBOLIC ACT OF ONE OF THE
LOCAL "CEP CASPIAN CONCERN GROUPS" On 20 May, nearly 100 people participated in collecting scattered garbage from
the banks of Cheshmeh-kileh river, around the area, where the very first tributory diverts
into the village of Aghoozkaleh, to irrigate the kiwifruit & citrus orchards, tea
plantations & rice fields.
The particpants were local NGOs, some local authorities, school & university students
& from the village itself. The Islamic council of the village put in great effort to
make this symbolic event an educational one for the 683 inhabitants of this beautiful
village.
Caspian Concern Groups are composed of local people , some related local authorities,
local NGOs & interested individuals/stakeholders. CCGs are formed by encouragement of
CEP-PPAs as part of their workplan. The goal is to attract the attention of people
to their local environmental problems & issues. Once the problems are identified &
peioritized, PPAs are to converge the group's attention to finding proper solutions for
them. Then by providing training & workshops for the group(furnished by CEP), the
selected solutions will be prepared in the form of presentable project proposals. These
pproposals will be evaluated for eligibility for grants that would make their
implimentation possible.
9. BONEY FISH CATCHES LEVEL IN
MAZANDARAN PROVINCE RAISED BY %60 According to the general manager of the Fishermem Cooperative of Mazandaran
province, the levels of boney fish catches was raised from 2400 MT in1999/2000 to 5000MT
in year 2000/2001 season, with an increase of %60.
To his belief, the higher production of hatcheries & successfull release of fingerling
fish of different species have been the main causes of such gain. The high pollution rate
of the spawning rivers in the past had caused a reduction in catch in previous years, he
added, but with the efforts made in regards to prevention of pollution & increasing
the number of fingerlings release, such results have been gained in short time. Mr.
Ghadiri also announced that the proposal for relocation of polluting industries away from
the vicinity of the spawning rivers has been presented to the parliment & when
approved, serious actions will be taken against the polluting industries.
Divertion of the river water for irigation purposes in the spring months is a limiting
factor that reduces the success rates of the fingerlings return to the sea, he noted.
1. WHO SPONSORED WORKSHOP
ON RECREATIONAL WATERS was held in the coastal city of Turkmenbashy. This workshop was organised
by the UNDP/CEP'S CRTS on Human Sustainable Development and Health on April 30 through May
4.
This workshop gathered participants from Azarbaijan, IRI, Kazakhstan, Turkmneistan and
Russia. WHO Consultants trained the participants on using the new bacteriology lab
equipment and the WHO adopted methodology.
2. CRAFTS COMPETITION FOR THE
SCHOOL CHILDREN OF TURKMENBASHY followed the environmental workshop dedicated
to the Earth Day. UNDP/CEP Public Participation Advisor jointly with the Department
of Education of the city announced a crafts competition for the school children of
Turkmnebashy city.
First round of the competition was for each school to pick the best craft made with such
waste products as plastic bottles, paper and etc. and present them to the evaluation
committee. On May 14, five of the best crafts were nominated for prizes. The
youngest of nominee was 6 years old and along with others received a T-shirt and a letter
of recognition.
1. FESTIVAL "VOBLA-2001"
IN ASTRAKHAN 21 April Astrakhan Fishermen Festival "Vobla-2001" was held on the city
embankment. Festival "Vobla" is the unique event in Russia, intended not for
professional or sports fishermen but for people in love with their home nature. This
action attracts local and metropolitan newsmen, public figures and statesmen. The main
goal of the Festival that is being held since 1997, is to show the beauty and originality
of our land, draw people's attention to the symbol of the Lower Volga - the vobla or
Caspian roach (cyprinid fish). According to the rules fishing is permitted with bottom
tackle, the winner is the person who caught the maximum amount of fish regardless of its
size and weight. It is of interest that this year the first prize has been awarded to Musa
Rahbar, IRI.
Material used from the Gorozhanin (Citizen) newspaper
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE CONCEPT
OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE ASTRAKHAN REGION
13 April Public Hearings on the Concept of Tourism Development in the Astrakhan Region for
the next 5 years were held in Astrakhan, Russia. Among the participators were tourist
companies managers, entrepreneurs, governmental and municipal representatives. Owing to
its unique location, natural and historic sights the Volga river delta attracts both
Russian and foreign tourists. Currently, 65 tourist companies and entrepreneurs, 33
licensed tourist centres designed for 540 persons, 7 city hotels for 1040 persons are
operating in the region. According to official statistics, 19,000 visitors (including
1,000 from abroad) took their vacations in the Astrakhan Region, the number of those
unorganized (non-official holiday-makers) amounted to 20,000 persons. Referring to the
Head of Department for Support and Development of Intermediate and Small-scale Business
and Tourism S. Ryaskov, their increases annually 8-10%. Hence tourism should be
developed with regard to environmental concerns of the Astrakhan Region.
3. "PARKS MARCH - 2001" Every year in the end of April the days for natural reserves and national parks
are celebrated - "Parks March". In Astrakhan Region this action is traditionally
coordinated by the Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve. Its research staff give lectures at
schools with the objective to familiarize schoolchildren with the nature of the reserve,
its history and present-day issues. This year the program of the festival has included the
contest of children's drawings " World of Reserved Nature" and the quiz
"Nature of the Volga Delta".
4. CONCEPT OF DEVELOPMENT OF
FISHERIES COMPLEX IN THE ASTRAKHAN REGION
Fisheries Department at the Astrakhan Regional Administration was recently reorganized. It
is now headed by Mark Karpyuk who presented his Concept of Development of Fisheries
Complex in the Astrakhan Region for the years 2001-2007. The Concept has already started
to be jointly implemented by research institutions, fishing and fish-processing
enterprises. It provides for a set of measures aimed to help fisheries industrial sector
out of a crisis, namely - stabilize the situation in fish-processing business, rise the
efficiency of aquatic bioresources use, develop artificial reproduction of sturgeon fish
species at hatcheries, execute research studies.
5. STURGEON FISHING QUOTAS PUT UP
FOR AUCTION 4 May 2001 State Property Fund of the Astrakhan region sold sturgeon fishing
quotas at auction. The total of 170 t was shared between joint-stock companies
"Russkaya ikra" (Russian Caviar, 102 t) and "KaspRyba-1" (68 t), the
whole quota sold for 30.5 mln. RUR. As a result of stringent requirements to be met by
auction participants, their number decreased to 4 organizations, enlargement of lots was
advantageous for those with more powerful financial abilities. The opening bid for one lot
increased, 150,000 RUR for 1 t this year compared to 35,000 RUR the previous year.
Material used from the "Astrakhan Gazette" newspaper
6. VISIT OF THE HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
RUSSIAN FEDERATION TO THE ASTRAKHAN REGION In the end of April, Mikhail Kasyanov, Head of Government Russian Federation,
together with representatives of Federal Ministries, delegations from the Volgograd
region, Dagestan and Kalmykia visited the Astrakhan Region. This mission witnesses to
undoubted interest Astrakhan Region expressed by the Government of Russia to the Caspian
region and its problems. Issues related to the status of the Caspian Sea, hydrocarbon
exploration and extraction, protection and reproduction of sturgeons, construction of the
port Olya, development of agriculture and tourism, and house-building were discussed at
the meetings.
Early in May in Moscow Mikhail Kasyanov signed protocols of regional meetings on
Establishment of transportation infrastructure in the Caspian region and on Measures for
implementation strategic interests of Russia in the Caspian based on results of his
mission.
Deep attention was given to environmental and fishing issues in the second protocol. The
government entrusted concerned Ministries to develop Appeal to the Caspian riparian
countries to tighten standards of environmental safety under economic activities at the
Caspian. This year the background status of marine environment in the North Caspian will
be studied as well as estimated pollution level in drilling areas. It is envisaged that
the unified network will be created to exchange information on the sturgeon fishing quotas
and their realization de facto, issued export permits and fish/fish products export
licenses, customs data on the amounts of lot sizes, points of departure and destination,
exporters and importers.
Besides, the Astrakhan Region will be included in a number of Federal Programs, such as
"Ecology and Natural Resources" and " Improvement of Soil Fertility in
Russia".
***A small note, in the Issue #3 (FEBRUARY 5,
2001, THE NATIONAL ECOLOGICAL FORUM OF RUSSIA WAS HELD IN MOSCOW), it refers to the Rio
2002 meeting. In fact, that meeting will be held in South Africa in 2002.
