As part of the social environmental initiative “Save the Dnieper together”, various stakeholders, including “Zaporizhstal” Iron and Steel Works, came together to address critical ecological issues concerning the Kakhovskoye storage lake and the Dneprovsky river basin. This initiative has encouraged community involvement in environmental matters, leading to significant clean-up efforts and project funding.
On the 20th of March 2013, a roundtable discussion took place, with the main topic being “the Ecology of the Kakhovskoye storage lake: maintenance of the natural balance.” During the roundtable discussion, the important environmental issues of the Kakhovskoye storage lake and the improvement of the Dneprovsky river basin were discussed. Representatives of regulatory bodies, “Zaporizhstal” Iron and Steel Works, and various environmental and social organizations participated in the discussions.
The roundtable conversation regarding the problems of the Kakhovskoye storage lake was a logical continuation of the social ecological initiative “Save the Dnieper together,” which was supported by “Zaporizhstal” Iron and Steel Works in November 2012. This event consolidated the efforts of Zaporozhye citizens and organizations focused on cleaning the banks and waterways of the river Dnieper, with over 1100 participants collectively collecting approximately 18 tons of garbage. In December 2012, “Zaporizhstal” Iron and Steel Works sponsored the second stage of the “Save the Dnieper together” event by stocking the river with herbivorous fish.
During the roundtable discussion, participants emphasized the importance of continuing the social-ecological initiative “Save the Dnieper together” in 2013. The first step in this initiative will be the creation of artificial spawning grounds to enhance the effectiveness of the natural spawning grounds of the river Dnieper. “Zaporizhstal” Iron and Steel Works finances the realization of this important environmental project, along with other initiatives under the “Save the Dnieper together” banner.
“One of the hottest environmental issues of the Kakhovskoye storage lake is the silting of the shallow waters suitable for fish spawning, which leads to a decrease in fish population and changes in the species composition,” commented Dmitriy Evseev, the deputy Head of Zaporozhyeriboohrana, reflecting on the current situation.
Social organizations in the region, including the Zaporozhye regional federation of underwater hunting, diving, and fishery, as well as the regional organization of the Ukrainian society of hunters and fishers, are prepared to assist in the creation of the spawning grounds.