On February 8, 2021, a Memorandum of Cooperation and Cooperation was signed to create favorable conditions for further development of visiting the exclusion zone and the zone of unconditional (compulsory) resettlement between the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine the management of the exclusion zone and the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine.
The memorandum was signed by the Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Roman Abramovsky, Chairman of the State Agency of Ukraine for Exclusion Zone Management Andriy Plyatsko and Chairman of the State Agency for Tourism Development Maryana Oleskiv.
“The signing of this Memorandum will allow us to unite efforts for a strong international representation of the exclusion zone and the zone of unconditional (compulsory) resettlement” Roman Abramovsky said during a press conference after the signing of the memorandum.
According to him, the exclusion zone is an extraordinary place where there are abandoned habitats, unique technological objects, in particular of strategic importance for the state, and it is here that there is an opportunity to contemplate and take care of the picturesque wildlife.
“We can clearly see how nature is restored without human intervention. How biodiversity has changed and increased over the last 3 decades. These territories are very valuable for us, by the way, they are included in the World Base of Protected Areas”
Roman Abramovsky
Oleksandr Tkachenko stressed that the exclusion zone is not only a tourist attraction, but also, first of all, a place of remembrance, where you should come to realize the truth about the catastrophe.
“Future generations must see everything for themselves and realize the scale of the April 1986 tragedy. Rethink the emotions from what we saw”
Oleksandr Tkachenko
The head of the ICIP is convinced that investments in the development of the exclusion zone are investments in the formation of Ukrainian identity and the creation of conditions for the effective use of the economic potential of cultural heritage.
During the press conference, Oleksandr Tkachenko stressed the intention to include the Chornobyl complex in the preliminary list of UNESCO’s cultural heritage in order to be able to preserve and restore certain sites of the memorial.
“Chernobyl” is a concept that is associated with Ukraine in the world. Chernobyl leaves no one indifferent and will always evoke emotions, no matter how many years have passed since the Chernobyl accident. This year marks 35 years since the largest man-made disaster in the history of the use of the peaceful atom occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on April 26.
During all these years, thanks to the consolidation of efforts of all branches of Ukrainian government and the active support of our international partners in the exclusion zone, the most modern facilities are being created, which are aimed at ensuring nuclear and radiation safety. Science is actively developing. In addition, the exclusion zone has a unique cultural component and great tourist potential, “- said Acting Chairman of DAZV Andriy Plyatsko.
According to him, the signing of today’s Memorandum is a powerful impetus, which by combining and consolidating all our resources will provide effective and comprehensive communication of messages about development prospects and relevant information about the modern “life” of these territories.
In addition, an important vector of cooperation, which will be worked on by all signatories of the Memorandum, will be the preparation and implementation of measures to be taken to mark the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.
According to Mariana Oleskiv, the signing of the memorandum is a big step that will unite the relevant ministries and agencies around one goal – to develop the tourist attractiveness of Chernobyl and increase the number of visitors from around the world.
“In particular, within the signed memorandum, we plan to develop new routes, tourist locations and improve existing ones”
Mariana Oleskiv
The head of DART said that the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone has long been a tourist magnet, especially for foreigners who come here specifically, and all because there are no analogues in the world to such a place. In particular, in 2019, 124 thousand tourists visited the exclusion zone.
During the press conference, Maryana Oleskiv said that within the framework of the project “Magnets of Ukraine: Chernobyl” much attention is paid to the development of tourism, research projects, attracting new investments and educational mission.
“The state must undertake the formation of principles according to which it is necessary to work with the topic, territory, heritage. This is a place for which Ukraine is responsible. Not only in front of yourself – in front of the world. It is necessary to work out a responsible policy of visits, to create working legislative instruments that prevent people from being involved in danger, to find ways to protect the Zone from vandalism. The responsibility of the state is paramount, because it is the state that must create the semantic, legal, economic framework in which the value of Life (human and inhuman) will be the alpha and omega of any political decision” said the coordinator of the Chernobyl Nomination Working Group. areas to the UNESCO World Heritage List Yana Barinova.
Within the framework of the memorandum of the Ministry of Environment, ICIP, DAZV and DART will cooperate in the following areas:
- Development of the concept of complex development (memorialization) of the exclusion zone and the zone of unconditional (compulsory) resettlement, its further implementation;
- Dissemination of information for the purpose of public perception of the exclusion zone and the zone of unconditional (compulsory) resettlement of territories that have undergone radioactive contamination as a result of the Chornobyl disaster;
- Creation of new visiting routes, locations, improvement of existing ones in order to increase the attractiveness of these territories and increase the number of visitors from all over the world;
- Promoting the presentation of the exclusion zone and the zone of unconditional (compulsory) resettlement at the international level;
- Organization of preparations for events on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster;
- Establishing cooperation with international organizations in the areas defined by this Memorandum, preservation of cultural and natural heritage.
Since you’re here…
Contamination Zone is a group of people who are united by our love for the Chernobyl Zone. We are a non-profit organisation and every year we raise thousands of euros for good causes in the Chernobyl Zone, such as firefighting equipment, monument restoration, animal welfare and more.
If you are planning or thinking about a trip to the zone, please check out our trips to Ukraine in 2023 and if you still have unanswered questions, feel free to get in touch!
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Charlie Tango(https://contamination.zone)