Deer in Yamal is not just a breeding subject. Deer is a symbol of tundra life: food, clothing, transport, housing, earnings… To lose a herd for a nomad means to die.
Every year, going on a long nomad journey, Nenets reindeer herders, the indigenous inhabitants of the Russian Arctic, encounter a serious problem on their way for the migration of reindeer herds to pastures – these are the routes of oil and gas pipelines laid in the tundra zone. Located in traditional habitats, they are an obstacle to the migration of reindeer, their food supply is reduced, natural pastures are destroyed. Roads, pipelines and other linear objects were not always built taking into account the needs of animals. Even at the design stage of the deposit, it is necessary to take into account the wishes of nomads for the arrangement of sites for the passage of deer herds. In particular, pipelines specifically for solving this problem should be raised to a safe height or removed underground. Roads at the crossing points should have special bevels. The concrete pavement of the roads should be laid with a material that ensures the sliding of the sled.
Efforts to overcome problems with deer migration have been underway for more than 10 years. Oil and gas companies, together with representatives of the regional administration and indigenous residents, are interested in building crossings for deer herds in places where structures block the migration routes of animals. The crossings will be a kind of gate — the gas pipeline pipe will either be raised above the path or placed deeper into the ground.
The region of the Far North is a strategically important mineral resource of the country, therefore it is necessary to develop deposits. These are jobs and salaries for people. People just need to approach this in a civilized and competent way. Therefore, the main task today is to preserve the fauna, or restore it as soon as possible.