OREANDA-NEWS. November 28, 2008. The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources believes a new National Council should be established in order to meet the growing environmental challenges in the Russian Arctic.

The National Council on sustainable development in the Russian Arctic zone could help Russia face increasing industrial pressure against its Arctic areas, Ministry representative Amirkhan Amirkhanov said at a conference this week.

The desired organizational adherence of the proposed council and its mandate remains unclear.

Mr. Amirkhanov highlighted that run-down infrastructrure and environmental “hot spots” in the Russian Arctic are of major concern to the Ministry of Natural Resources, a press release on the issue reads. In addition, the expected growth within extraction, processing and transport of hydrocarbons and minerals will pose new threats to the Arctic, he added.

“The main sources of pollution in the Arctic Ocean and along the Arctic coasts are global and regional emitted wastes from metallurgy companies, the oil and gas industry, nuclear-powered vessels and coast bases”, the ministry press release reads.

Also ship wrecks are causing the ministry’s concern. Alone in the Kola Bay outside Murmansk, there are about 200 sunken vessels, five of which pose a major threat against shipping in the area.

Mr. Amirkhanov heads the Department of State Policy and Regulations in the field of environment. He participated in a ministry round table conference on pollution in the Arctic this week.