EthnoExpert

15 April 2010 The Sakha (Yakutia) Republic State Assembly (Il Tumen) during the XVI Plenary Session issued the Social Impact Assessment ("Ethnological Examination") Law. Expert review procedures should be obligatory undertaken before any infrastructure projects or other development interventions which could affect territories of traditional residence and traditional economic activities of indigenous peoples of the North. 

The new law was adopted to prevent and minimize the potential negative impacts of proposed economic and other activities to the original environment, traditional lifestyle and livelihood, socio-economic and cultural development of the indigenous peoples of Yakutia.

Ethnological examination is defined as the scientific study of small peoples original environment and socio-cultural situation change impact on the development of the ethnic group.

The press service of the Il Tumen reports that this document is a legislative initiative of People's Deputies of the Republic - Victor Gubarev, Alexander Krylov, Yuri Doinikov, Dmitry Gorokhov, Andrey Krivoshapkin, Sergey Larionov, Elena Golomareva, Semyon Ivanov.

The chairman of the Standing Committee on Arctic and Indigenous Peoples Victor Gubarev tells that cost estimates and the use of financial resources to conduct ethnological examination will be approved by the government of Yakutia, based on proposals of the authorized body of executive power. Notified State Body may carry out a comprehensive analysis of demographic, socio-economic situation and stability of ethnocultural environment of indigenous groups living in the zone of potential impact of industrial development.

Ethnological examination in Yakutia should not only provide the impact assessment of industrial development, but also develop recommendations for long-term socio-economic rehabilitation of the indigenous peoples of the North, including educational programs, programs for the conservation of cultural heritage, fund for the future generations creation.

Il Tumen press service materials used in this arcticle.