In Ukraine, 20% of nature reserves, 3M hectares of forests affected by war - WWF
A full-scale war has already affected 20% of Ukraine's nature reserves and 3 million hectares of forests.
WWF-Ukraine reported this on Facebook.
November 6 is the International Day for the Prevention of Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. Meanwhile, in Ukraine today, 20% of nature conservation areas have been affected by war.
2.9 million hectares of the Emerald Network are endangered. These territories are a significant part of the nature protection network of Europe.
Sixteen Ramsar sites with an area of almost 600,000 hectares, which have the status of wetlands of international importance, are under threat of destruction.
The 7,740-hectare "Great and Small Kuchuhury Archipelago" wetland has now been liberated from the Russians. However, due to its proximity to the front line, it is under threat of destruction.
Eight nature reserves and 10 national natural parks remain occupied by Russian forces.
Some 3 million hectares of forests were affected by the war.
"These numbers may increase because in some territories, hostilities are still ongoing, and the rest are under occupation or are yet to be demined," WWF-Ukraine emphasized.
