The network of Russia's Arctic natural reserves that enjoy special protection will increase before the end of 2016, Vsevolod Stepanitsky, Deputy Director of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry's State Policy and Regulation in Environmental Protection Department, told RIA Novosti.

"This will hopefully be accomplished before the end of 2016 — the Russian Arctic National Park will expand as an area is redistributed from the Franz Josef Land Natural Reserve.  I also hope that a federal reserve will be established on the New Siberian Islands. There is a heated debate taking place over the boundaries of the Khibiny National Park. I think that we will find a compromise before 2016 is over," Stepanitsky said at the Rossiya Segodnya press center.