Ecological circle "Young Naturalists" at the IAPM Yagotyn Institute for pupils and students of the city of Yagotyn
At the IAPM Yagotyn Institute, the ecological club ‘Young Naturalists’ has started working, which brings together schoolchildren and college students of the city of Yagotyn. The head of the group is Tamara Chornoshtan, Candidate of Philosophy, Associate Professor. The aim of the club is to raise environmental awareness among young people and encourage them to take an active part in environmental protection.
During the first lesson, the young environmentalists discussed the current state of the reservoirs in the Yagotyn area, which is currently unsatisfactory and on the verge of an environmental disaster. The problems of the reservoirs arose due to the lack of regular silt removal, insufficient funding from local budgets and government agencies, and the negligent attitude of the tenants to natural resources.
The discussion focused on two main reservoirs - Lakes Velykyi and Malyi Supii. For many years, these lakes have not received the necessary maintenance: no silt removal or dredging was carried out, which negatively affected their ecological condition. Instead of systematic maintenance, the lakes were leased to private companies that used barbaric methods of water exploitation.
Private tenants often resorted to the practice of completely discharging water through sluices, which allowed them to easily catch fish. Such activities led to serious consequences, including the siltation of natural springs in the lake, lowering of the water level, and massive deaths of fish, crayfish and fry. These processes have caused a catastrophic drop in the water table in wells throughout the Yagotyn and Zguriv districts, affecting the lives of local residents.
The young ecologists discussed other factors that contribute to the drying up of the Velykyi and Malyi Supii lakes. One of the main reasons is the blocking of water inflows upstream, in the so-called Cherkasy Pond, by private leaseholders. This factor, coupled with uncontrolled tree cutting and climate change, is leading to further deterioration of the environmental situation in the region.
The members of the Young Naturalists group expressed their desire to take concrete actions to improve the condition of the reservoirs in the Yagotyn district. The group also plans to work with local authorities, environmental activists and NGOs to develop a strategy for preserving the region's water resources.
The Young Naturalists environmental club provides pupils and students with the opportunity not only to study environmental issues but also to actively participate in solving them. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Tamara Chornoshtan, young people develop the skills to analyse environmental situations, plan environmental protection measures and develop the leadership skills needed to implement positive changes in their community.
The group plans to hold regular classes and practical field trips to problematic environmental areas, develop environmental projects and actions aimed at improving the environment. The aim of such activities is not only to preserve the water resources of the Yagotyn district, but also to develop a responsible attitude to nature and environmental awareness among the younger generation.
The work of the environmental club ‘Young Naturalists’ at the IAPM Yagotyn Institute is a vivid example of how young people can influence the solution of environmental problems. This is an initiative that deserves support and further development. Involving young people in environmental issues is a step towards preserving natural resources for future generations.
