“The Lower Prut” Reserve impending to perish

“The Lower Prut” scientific Reserve, a zone hosting multiple flora and fauna species included in the Red Book of the R. Moldova, has reached a massive degradation stage, which would inevitably lead to its irreversible loss, Alecu Renita, leader of the Moldovan Ecologic Movement (MEM) told Info-Prim Neo. Mr. Renita claims that 4 years after “Redeco LTD” Company started drilling works for oil and natural gas close to Beleu Lake in Cahul, one might say that “The Lower Prut” Reserve is under threat of extinction. As result of the company’s activity an ecosystem of great significance for the whole southern republic is degrading. At the same time, “Redeco LTD” failed to honor its promises concerning a careful attitude towards environment, having as results the floods caused by the Danube River this year, the Prut River’s high level, and the flooded oil wells. According to MEM leader, ecologic damages suffered by Beleu Lake could be repaired and one of the most precious jewels of “The Lower Prut” preserved if it would be possible to urgently cancel the Parliament’s amendments to the Art. 26 of the Law on Protected Natural Areas and to terminate the rental agreement between “Redeco LTD” and the Government signed in 1995. This Government decision cleared the way, de jure and de facto, towards degradation of an important ecosystem for the whole southern Moldova. The Parliament’s amendments allowed for drilling for petroleum and gas in the scientific reserve “The Lower Prut”, Mr. Renita says. Recently MEM called on the President, Parliament and Government to reexamine the previous decisions regarding “Redeco LTD” Company’s activity and bringing back on the forefront the national interest of protecting natural heritage and reserves, such as Prut’s ponds and Beleu Lake.