An environmental threat is looming over the unique nature of Kamchatka. The hot bunch plant, widely known to locals, has a dangerous “relative” — Sosnovsky hogweed. This aggressive invasive species, which is alien to the peninsula, poses a serious threat to the local biological diversity, ruthlessly displacing the native Kamchatka grasses and flowers.
Currently, one large outbreak of this invading plant has been recorded in the Bystrinsky district. It is located just three kilometers from the village of Esso, near the Bystrica River. This site is under close supervision of specialists from the Kamchatka branch of the Pacific Institute of Geography of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, who are assessing the scale and speed of the threat’s spread.
The situation raises serious concerns, as borshchevik has already begun its offensive on the neighboring, as yet untouched field along the roadsides. Experts warn that if it is not stopped now, the seeds of the aggressor are highly likely to end up on the roadway of the Esso—Anavar highway. This will open a direct path for it to spread along transport arteries and penetrate into populated areas.
A special commission went to the site to assess the situation. It included representatives of the Volcanoes of Kamchatka network of natural parks, Olga Chernyagina, a leading botanist and senior researcher, as well as a local government deputy, which underlines the seriousness of the problem at all levels.
The key task is to destroy a dangerous plant before the seeds begin to ripen in order to interrupt its reproduction cycle. Experts emphasize that this will not be a one-time action, but a systematic and painstaking work. According to preliminary estimates, it will take at least five to six years of regular treatments to completely eliminate the outbreak. This is a long but vital battle for the preservation of Kamchatka’s fragile nature.
Targeted funds will be allocated to Bystrinsky Nature Park to finance the upcoming works. This will make it possible to purchase the necessary equipment and attract specialists to effectively combat the environmental aggressor, the press service of the Volcanoes of Kamchatka network of natural parks reports.