Around four thousand applications to receive land in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF) have been submitted since the launch of the programme. Applicants have already been granted 500 land plots, the press service of the Far East and Arctic Development Corporation (FEDC) stated this Wednesday.

'In the three months of its implementation, the Arctic Hectare programme received about 4,000 applications; 500 land plots have already been granted for use,' says a report cited by TASS.

Regions with the highest number of requested plots include the Murmansk Region (2,123), the Arkhangelsk Region (758) and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area (529). According to Igor Nosov, Director General of the FEDC, residents of the AZRF have confirmed their interest in the priority right to a hectare of land and are using these plots to improve their living conditions or conduct business activities.

Local residents are given precedence when granting land plots in the Russian Arctic. Starting 1 February 2022, the programme will become available to all Russian citizens, as well as to participants in the State Programme to Assist Voluntary Resettlement of Compatriots Living Abroad. A total of about 1.1 mn hectares are available in the Russian Arctic for citizens to choose from, the FEDC added.

The rules for participation in the programme require grantees to notify the appropriate government agency of their chosen land use within the first year, declare their land use within three months after the end of the third year and apply for ownership or lease by confirming their land use within six months after the end of the five-year period.