Sacred island to become protected park

The nomadic, reindeer-herding Nenet people in the oil-rich region of Yamal in Russia plan to make Vaigach Island a national park, to protect one of their most sacred places.

The Nenets’ regional government and the World Wildlife Fund recently signed an agreement on collaboration, which obliges the regional authorities to protect certain zones.

Unfortunately, most of the Nenet shrines on Vaigach have already been ravaged or even destroyed, although untouched idols in the middle of the island were reportedly visited and bowed to even in the beginning of 20th century.

During the Soviet period, most of the unique religious monuments were destroyed and visits prohibited.

A Gulag prisoner camp was built in the southwestern part of Vaigach where prisoners mined zinc, and hundreds of the Nenets were forced to relocate.

About 10 years ago, Vaigach became a natural reserve and the destruction of its monuments was stopped. Vaigach now attracts poachers from Murmansk and Arkhangelsk Oblasts, who illegally hunt for walrus and polar bear.