The indigenous Nenet and Komi reindeer herders have recently stated they are victims of extensive oil and gas operations by Russian companies working in Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The “Yasavey” Association for the Nenets People has addressed a letter to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, alerting him of the current situation in the region, and requesting government efforts to provide protection for the herders' ancestral lands. Many oil companies are in violation of Russian legislation regarding ecological protection of the lands of Nenets Okrug, and local officials are ignoring the oil spills and other acts of destruction, the letter claims.
