The first stage of dismantling of the Polyarny village buildings has begun in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area. The villagers were moved to new houses in 2004, says the Project Office for Arctic Development (POAD) citing the press service of the head of the region.

A total of thirteen structures that are no longer fit for operation will be dismantled. Once the old buildings are removed, the freed land will be reclaimed. The project will be supported by volunteers: During the final phase of this stage, the village will host an environmental expedition. Volunteers will collect and sort scrap metal and wood, as well as get rid of landfills and remove small structures.

According to Yamal authorities, the first stage of the project will be completed by the end of summer 2022. The second stage is scheduled for 2023, and the third and final one will take place in 2024.

According to Aleksandr Stotsky, general director of the Project Office for Arctic Development, the project is important for several reasons.

"First, this shows how natural balance can be restored after anthropogenic activity on an Arctic territory is curtailed. This is important in terms of a sustainable approach to the ecosystems of the North, which are highly vulnerable to external influences. Secondly, I would like to draw attention to the role of volunteers. Active involvement of enthusiasts in reclamation work not only saves budget funds, but also makes people more aware about environmental issues," writes the head of POAD in his article.