Russia’s new Forest Plan

Russia has revealed its new Forest Plan, in an effort to deal with climate change. This plan highlights a changed mindset of Russia on climate change.

Highlights

• Sakhalin Island in Russia, located north of Japan has become a testing ground for Russia’s efforts to reconcile its prized fossil fuel industry with the requirement to do something about climate change.
• Around two-thirds of Sakhalin Island is forested.
• Russian authorities have set an ambitious goal to make the island, carbon neutral by 2025.
• New forest plan was unveiled as tree growth will absorb much of the planet-warming carbon dioxide that half-million residents of the Island & its businesses produce.

About Sakhalin Island

Sakhalin is the largest island in Russia. It is the northernmost island of Japanese archipelago. The island is administered as part of the Sakhalin Oblast. It is located in the Pacific Ocean in between Sea of Okhotsk and Sea of Japan. The island is located just off Khabarovsk Krai and north of Hokkaido in Japan. The island is home to around 500,000 residents, majority of which are Russians.

History of the Island

Name of Sakhalin Island has been derived from Manchu word Sahaliyan. The island was once a part of China during Qing dynasty, however Chinese control was lax at times. Sakhalin was later claimed by both Russia and Japan during 19th and 20th centuries. In 1875, Japan ceded its claims to Russia in return for northern Kuril Islands. After Russo-Japanese War in 1905, the island was divided and its southern part was given to Japan.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2021