OREANDA-NEWS. February 22, 2013. TNK-BP and the Biodiversity Conservation Centre have held the 5th Shtilmark competition, aimed at developing a vital aspect of conservation work – the protection of conservation areas in Russia, reported the press-centre of TNK-BP.

The Company has supported the competition, which provides practical assistance to people who are making the most significant contributions to protecting nature conservation areas, since 2006.
TNK-BP attaches great importance to maintaining the ecological balance and is implementing a comprehensive programme of its own to minimize the Company’s environmental footprint. This involves the use of advanced techniques for careful land remediation, the deployment of modern technology including robot aircraft, staff training and continuous environmental monitoring.

One essential part of the programme is collaboration with the major environmental NGOs, such as WWF, Greenpeace, Wetlands International, Transparent World, and the Econadzor public organization of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area - Yugra. The Company’s investment and operational spending on conservation measures has exceeded 39 billion rubles over the past five years.

One of the most important aspects of TNK-BP’s conservation work is protecting nature reserves, including the Kamennoe area and the adjacent internationally important wetlands, where the Company and the Russian Bird Conservation Union carry out joint annual studies and monitoring of bird populations.

“We are in a continuous constructive dialogue with the leading conservation organizations to improve the efficiency of our programmes. By working together we are able to find optimal solutions and tools for preventing ecorisks. One such tool is the creation of a culture of environmental safety and care. Supporting the Shtilmark competition is our contribution to the development of this culture,” said Elena Kompasenko, TNK-BP Vice President, Health, Safety and Environment.