Interactive map planned for indigenous sacred sites and nature reserves
© RIA Novosti. Ramil Sitdikov

Interactive map planned for indigenous sacred sites and nature reserves

The Yamal Union of Reindeer Herders and the regional branch of the Russian Popular Front are planning to create an interactive map showing the sacred sites of indigenous peoples and areas with traditional use of natural resources. The project is still in the works and the name of the map still must be decided, Timur Akchurin, Executive Director of the Union of Reindeer Herders in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area, told arctic.ru.

"We have outlined the project and we're determining what information it may contain. It should be checked for conformity with federal legislation and land use issues. Sources of funding must be found as well, and we should make sure that there is public demand for the project," he said.

Sacred sites are defined as the settings of historical or mystical events which are of special importance to the indigenous peoples.

"We want the map to cover the whole of Russia. We'll determine which information will be included. It shouldn't be too exhaustive: the map ought to be easy to read," he said.

There are also plans to coordinate the project with the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East, the elders of various indigenous communities, and scholars.