Wedoany.com Report-Jun 14, The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) and Slavutych city authorities have signed a memorandum to promote tourism in the region, emphasizing its historical and ecological significance. The initiative aims to enhance the appeal of Slavutych, located 45 kilometers east of Chernobyl, while preserving the memory of the 1986 accident and fostering a positive image nationally and internationally.

The former Chernobyl nuclear power plant is surrounded by an exclusion zone

Slavutych was built to house workers evacuated from Pripyat, three kilometers from the Chernobyl plant, following the 1986 disaster. The agreement supports the Slavutych city museum and tourist information center, expanding exhibitions on the history of the Chernobyl plant, the development of Pripyat and Slavutych, and the accident’s aftermath. The ChNPP state enterprise stated: “This will contribute to the development of the tourist attractiveness of the Slavutych community and the region as a whole, the preservation of historical memory, and the formation of a positive image both at the national and international levels.”

The collaboration includes plans for thematic excursions, cultural, and educational events, such as conferences, festivals, and study tours, focusing on Chernobyl, ecology, and sustainable development. These activities will engage ChNPP specialists, local institutions, scientists, and tourists. The initiative also prioritizes education, offering training courses and seminars for guides and researchers specializing in Chernobyl, nuclear energy, and environmental topics.

The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, covering 4,200 square kilometers, was established after the 1986 accident and remains largely uninhabited. A containment shelter was constructed over the damaged unit 4, followed by the New Safe Confinement structure. The zone, recognized by the United Nations’ environment programme as a significant wildlife haven with species like lynx and bison, supports ecological tourism. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky stated: “We must give this territory of Ukraine a new lease of life. Until now, Chernobyl has been a negative component of the Ukrainian brand. It’s time to change that. We must showcase this place to the world: to scientists, ecologists, historians, tourists.”

The memorandum builds on efforts to revive tourism, highlighting the region’s historical and environmental value through collaborative and sustainable initiatives.