YuSU co-organized the International Water Forum in Khanty-Mansiysk

Yugra State University co-organized the International Water Forum held at the Art Residence “Na beregu!” in Khanty-Mansiysk last weekend.

The participants were representatives of universities from Russia, Kazakhstan and China, the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, UNESCO Associated Schools, international and regional organizations, state and private enterprises.

Round tables, sessions, conferences, ECO debates, excursions. The key event within the forum was the scientific-practical conference with international participation “Water and environmental problems of the Ob-Irtysh basin: new challenges and advanced solutions” and the signing of an agreement between YuSU and Kazakhstan National University of Water Management and Irrigation (Taraz, Republic of Kazakhstan) and East Kazakhstan Technical University named after D. Serikbaev (Ust-Kamenogorsk).

The participants exchanged experience, discussed topical issues of ecological condition of water bodies, monitoring and quality of water resources, prevention and forecasting of natural and anthropogenic risks on water bodies, developed advanced solutions and recommendations for the conservation and further development of the Ob-Irtysh basin.

The business agenda also included the issues of minimizing the negative environmental impact in the Arctic zone of Russia, the relevance of which for our region is due to the entry of two municipal districts of Yugra into the Arctic zone this year.

Stations from different environmental associations were presented at the forum. Teachers of our university prepared two sites for the participants - “Water tourism” and the Laboratory of geoinformatics and natural resources monitoring”. Here it was possible to learn about the activities of Higher School of Ecology and look at the organisms living in fresh waters of Russia.

YuSU was represented at the conference by Maria Srybnik, a lecturer at the Institute of Oil and Technology (branch of YuSU in Surgut). She noted the relevance of the complex ecosystem of the Ob-Irtysh basin in our time. Ksenia Elman, lecturer of the Institute of Oil and Technology (branch of YuSU State University in Surgut) told about the approaches applied to the development of environmental policy of the Ob-Irtysh basin.

Irina Ivanova, senior researcher of the Research Center “Environmental Dynamics and Global Climate Change” of YuSU presented the results of her research on the peculiarities of group composition of dissolved organic substances in surface waters of oil and gas producing areas of western Siberia.

In her report she emphasized the importance of monitoring the quality of water resources in these regions, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach to studying the impact of oil and gas activities on ecosystems.

Olesya Krymskaya, Senior Lecturer of the Higher School of Ecology of Yugra State University, discussed with the participants the prospects of water tourism development in the Ob-Irtysh basin on the example of Yugra. She noted the significant contribution of the Higher Ecological School and its head Tatiana Antyufeeva in the preparation and organization of the event, and also stressed the importance of environmental education:

“One of the priority areas contributing to the harmonization of relations in the system “man-nature”, taking into account the current crisis phenomena, is ecological tourism, which has been gaining momentum in recent years”, - said Olesya Leonidovna.

She pointed out the need for a careful approach to the development of the tourism industry, especially water tourism.

She also emphasized that water routes on the territory of the district attract more and more tourists who appreciate the possibility of direct interaction with nature.

“Picturesque coastlines, diverse flora and fauna, the opportunity to observe rare species of birds and animals create favorable conditions for environmentally responsible recreation. Ecological tourism of water direction, including rafting on the rivers of Yugra, has a high educational potential, contributing to the formation of a model of rational nature management and environmental protection among travelers,” she added.

Dmitry Romanov, a student of Yugra State University, became a representative of the expert group. He moderated the platform “Prospects and opportunities for environmental organizations”.

Dmitry noted that his task was to pass on his experience in writing and implementing grant projects. Although he already had experience in the role of an expert, participating in an event of this scale was a new challenge for him.

“It was exciting, but I was able to manage my emotions,” he noted.

An important aspect of his work was evaluating the projects submitted by the teams.

“All of them were diverse and interesting,” Dmitry added.

After the forum was over, team leaders approached him for support of their initiatives. He expressed confidence that there was a lot of work ahead of them, but with joint efforts they would be able to bring the projects to a successful conclusion.

Dmitry also emphasized the significance of such events: “They educate the young generation and help to determine the right life guidelines”.

The forum also included a platform where children could discuss water environmental problems of the Ob-Irtysh basin. This section was prepared by Alexander Zaikin, associate professor of the Higher School of Ecology of YuSU. Participation of young people in the discussion of such topical topics helps to form their environmental awareness and understanding of the importance of environmental protection.

“The Forum has been gathering young people for 14 years, in recent years it has acquired a new breath, focusing on the pupils of various environmental movements, schools and eco-classes across the country”, - said Alexander Vasilyevich.

The geography of participants covered many cities, including Arkhangelsk, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tyumen and the Sverdlovsk region. The main goal was to educate a new generation ready for professional activity in the field of ecology.

“Even if the young people do not choose ecology as their main profession, they will become active participants in events aimed at protecting the environment. Participation in such forums helps to develop research competencies that will be useful in the process of higher education. In addition, one of the objectives of the event was to create conditions for consolidation of efforts that unite participants from different groups. It is important for young people to realize that they are not alone and that their endeavors can be supported by like-minded people. A great deal of work was done by the Nature Supervision Agency and YuSU, leaving a noticeable trace in the education and upbringing of the younger generation. Our task is to educate citizens who love the nature of their country, to teach them not to correct environmental mistakes, but to prevent them”, - said Alexander Vasilyevich.

It should be noted that the water forum was held within the framework of the National Project “Ecology” and became the final event of the XXI International Environmental Action “Save and Preserve”.