Moscow, Sep 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti): A total of 20 national parks and 11 natural reserves will be opened in Russia over the next 10 years, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said.
"Eleven new state-funded natural reserves and 20 national parks will appear in Russia in the next decade," Putin said Monday.
Another nine reserves and two national parks will be significantly enlarged, he said.
Speaking at a meeting of the ruling United Russia party in the northwestern city of Cherepovets, the prime minister said the government has set up a 1.5 billion-ruble ($50 million) project to develop eco-tourism in 12 protected areas.
Putin also said Russia would continue to clean up its Arctic territory, which has been polluted with industrial contaminants.
There were around 40 to 60 tonnes of oil spilled in the Arctic region. "Everything should be cleaned since it is leaking and rusting," Putin said.