The invasive insect pests that destroy plants at the Sochi National Park and the Caucasus Nature Reserve will be eradicated using chemicals and ethnomophages. Alexander Kozlov, Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, announced the approval of the roadmap.
According to the spokesperson of the Ministry, the possibility of using entomophages and chemicals to eradicate the invasive organisms in the federally significant specially protected natural areas in the Krasnodar Territory has been discussed not so long ago. Controlling pests using chemicals in the protected areas was legally restricted, although the scientists stated that their use was advisable. The Ministry of Natural Resources said that the decision was made to allow the use of chemicals and the biological control of insects. The roadmap was approved by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia. The money - 3 million roubles for purchasing the entomophages - has already been transferred to the Sochi National Park.
The invasive organisms began to appear in the region since 2012 - they were brought with foreign plants. Now, the boxwood tree moths, Oriental chestnut gall wasps, oak lace bugs, palm moths, and the cypress lampras have already destroyed and affected several thousand hectares of the protected area.
The Ministry of Natural Resources noted that relevant explanations have already been sent to the protected areas, internal approvals are underway regarding the draft changes to the Regulations on a national park and a reserve.
According to Yuri Gninenko, Head of the VNIILM (Russian Research Institute for Silviculture and Mechanization of Forestry) laboratory, the consultations are underway “with colleagues from Italy and Turkey regarding the possibility of purchasing.” “The Italians have already worked so efficiently with their government [against the pests] that they stopped the production of these chemicals. But they promised us, if we confirm the need, they would find what we need for us and send all this to us. Turkey also has the opportunity to send entomophages,” Gninenko said. According to him, in the coming days, the quantity and the optimal price with account of fees and transportation costs to Russia will be settled. “At present, we think that it will be quite reasonable to buy from Turkey, but we continue contacting both. Both countries set the dates for providing what we need and delivery all this to us - within two weeks maximum,” he added.
The work of all the parties is coordinated with the Sochi city administration. The city is ready to make the decision on five sites to test the effect of the chemicals on the invasive pests and the environment.
