Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated the Russian people on Amur Tiger Day that is celebrated in Vladivostok, the capital of the Primorye Territory, on 26-27 September this year.

The president said this day united all those who feel personally responsible for preserving and supporting Russia’s wealth of nature.

“It is important that the number of environmental projects in our country is increasing year by year, and involves more and more people. A lot of nature reserves have received the status of specially protected areas, which makes it possible to restore the forests, the rivers, and the rare animal populations, including the Amur tiger,” Mr Putin said in a message of greetings.

He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of volunteers, local historians, and other specialists and thanked them for their dedicated attitude toward nature and therefore to their own country, Russia, their homeland. The president wished those involved in these efforts further success in their work.