The Strategy for the preservation of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi in the Russian Federation throughout 2030 is aimed at preserving and preventing the extinction of rare species of flora and fauna, as well as at preventing population decline, the official website of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said.

Activities stipulated by the Strategy are financed from federal budget funds allocated for the implementation of government programmes for the relevant year, and from regional and local budgets, as well as from non-budgetary sources, including through public-private partnerships.  

To take into account the interests and opinions of all interested persons, the draft strategy was developed in constant interaction with competent regional authorities, public environmental organisations, research and educational institutions, hunting associations, and the media.  

The document has been submitted for approval to the Government.  

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Implementation of Rare and Endangered Animal, Plant and Mushroom Species Conservation Strategy until 2030 in Russia will enhance the efficiency of anti-poaching initiatives.

Delivering on this strategy entails stepping up efforts to protect certain animal species that are highly sought after by poachers, such as the Siberian tiger, the Amur leopard, the saiga antelope and big falconiformes, as well as early flowering plants like the wild galanthus, cyclamen and orchids.

As part of this strategy, Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment intends to engage in accounting and monitoring efforts with the aim of compiling a cadastre, to lay the groundwork for scientific research and gather analytical data, to encourage international cooperation in this area, and to conduct public awareness campaigns to promote responsible use of nature reserves and facilities.

Interagency cooperation between government bodies is essential for achieving these objectives along with the creation of environment funds and streamlining mechanisms for allocating resources to Russia’s constituent entities so that they are empowered to exercise the authority transferred to them from the federal centre regarding environmental protection and wildlife management.

Furthermore, the strategy features special biotechnological initiatives, including migration programmes and projects to expand and strengthen the network of breeding farms, fish breeding centres, botanical gardens and tree nurseries.

These measures will help to preserve rare and endangered animal, plant and mushroom species through captive breeding and also to address the issue of detained, confiscated and ownerless animals which have been in captivity for too long by including such animals in reintroduction and migration programmes.

The main objectives of this strategy will be implemented by 2030 in three stages.

The first stage (2015-2017) will focus on improving the regulatory framework according to the stated objectives, gathering scientific data for the Red Data Book of Threatened Species, and compiling databases.

During the second stage (2018-2020), an efficient system will be created for implementing targeted initiatives aimed at preventing certain animal, plant and mushroom species from becoming rare and endangered species.

During the third stage (2021-2030), the implementation of initiatives aimed at the conservation of rare and endangered animal, plant and mushroom species will continue based on the results of the strategy’s first two stages and the new regulatory and institutional framework.