Due to the explosion at Kakhovka HPP, national parks such as Velykyi Luh and Kamianska Sich are gradually turning into deserts — Ministry of Environment

The explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant may lead to the national parks Velykyi Luh and Kamianska Sich turning into a desert. 

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine reported this. 

The land area in these parks will increase by thousands of hectares, almost doubling. In the Velykyi Luh National Park — by more than 7,000 hectares, and in the Kamianska Sich National Park — by 5,500 hectares.

The damage caused to the parks by the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP amounts to ₴15 billion for Velykyi Luh and over ₴73 billion for Kamianska Sich.

"Once-blooming areas and fertile soils may turn into a desert. This will lead to higher temperatures and exacerbate the climate crisis. It will increase the risk of droughts and extreme weather events," says Environment Minister Ruslan Strilets. 

It will take several decades to restore these areas to their natural state and recreate the flora and fauna. The Ministry of Environment is already working on developing such programmes and measures.