Great Gifts to the Earth
Individuals and institutions both have a role to play in saving our planet. Below we have profiled great individuals whose conservation efforts have made a difference. Saving the planet begins with a personal commitment.




Statement by Mikhail Nikolaev,
President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
on the occasion of the launch of "WWF 2000: The Living Planet Campaign"


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Few people will be able to identify the location of the Sakha Republic but in fact it takes up one fifth of the whole of Russia. Situated on the southern bank of the Arctic Ocean this bleak land is endowed with exceptional mineral wealth: diamonds, gold , oil, gas and coal. The climate is harsh: Yakutia is often cited as the coldest inhabited settlement on Earth, with winter temperatures dropping to -97° F. It is a unique place, with its vulnerable arctic ecosystem and tough, spirited people. But, as in so many other parts of the world, mistakes made in previous years have left us with a heritage of severe environmental degradation.

Unfortunately, too much of the decision making in the world has focused on the usefulness of Nature to men. But we want this to change. It seems to us that the highest aspiration of mankind must be the preservation of nature in its rich and pristine bea uty and the assurance that this extraordinary creation is allowed to survive.

This is going to require hard work and sacrifice from all. But I believe that the citizens of the world are prepared for this and that the governments should boldly assume that is the case. We, in the Republic of Sakha, have pledged to do just that, and we look to you all to assist us to achieve our goals.

And the goals are... to reverse the damage from the past and to create on this earth a place where people live within the means of the environment to sustain them. That means making some tough decisions.

To start with, following the ancient customs of our people, who until relatively recently lived in total harmony with Nature, we have created a unique system of reserved territories - Ytyk Kere Sirder. These are protected by my people and my government. These beautiful virgin lands are the priceless heritage not only of my republic, and of Russia, but of the whole world.

For this occasion, when pledges for the new millennium are being made, the citizens of this blessed, but largely unknown part of the world, The Sakha Republic, will undertake as a Gift to the Earth the complete protection of 700,000 square kilometers - mo re than one fourth of the territory of Yakutia, by the year 2000.

President of the Republic of Sakha