Ranta recently received a report from environmental activists in Karelia regarding a serious ecological violation committed by a freshwater fish-farming company in the Kondopozhsky District. According to their account, the company has been disposing of waste in violation of environmental regulations. Activists observed a strong odor on-site, overflowing waste containers, and garbage scattered across both the facility and the nearby forest. Such mismanagement poses risks to local soil and water quality and may affect the health of residents living near the site.
Production waste of the "Meliorator" trout farm in Kondopozhsky District. Photo provided by local Eco-Activists
The activists also spoke with a local fisherman who reported a significant change in the area’s aquatic ecosystem. Since the fish farms begun operating in the area, the vendace, a fish species native to clean, cold northern lakes, has disappeared from these waters. It is worth noting, that Vendance is closely linked to Karelian traditional practices. Its disappearance highlights how environmental neglect can directly affect the cultural rights and heritage of the indigenous population of Karelia.
Unfortunately, this case is not an isolated incident. Environmental damage remains widespread through Karelia. The region’s lakes face pressures from overcrowded fish farms, overfishing, and unfiltered industrial waste. Karelia’s forests have also been heavily exploited for decades, leading to declining biodiversity, soil degradation, and disruptions to the natural water cycle, which further undermine the region’s hydrological balance.
Industrial activity significantly contributes to the overall ecological problem. Pulp mills, mining operations, metallurgical plants, shipyards, and quarries release pollutants that contaminate soil, air, and water. Collectively, these industries generate acidifying emissions, heavy-metal contamination, and nutrient overloading, all of which have long-term consequences due to the region’s slow water renewal rates and cold climate.
The impact of this pollution extends beyond Karelia’s borders. Contaminants from Lake Onega flow into Lake Ladoga and eventually into the Gulf of Finland, worsening the already fragile condition of the Baltic Sea. Air pollutants travel across borders, and toxins that accumulate in fish and birds are spread even further through migration. These transboundary effects show how local environmental issues can grow into regional challenges.
The situation in Karelia demonstrates the deep link between environmental protection, public health, and cultural preservation. What may appear as a local violation reflects a much broader pattern of under-regulated industrial activity and weak environmental oversight. The cumulative impact threatens both the natural environment and the cultural traditions of the Finno-Ugric peoples who have lived in harmony with these landscapes for centuries.
Protecting Karelia’s ecosystems is therefore both a local and international responsibility. Ensuring transparency, accountability, and strong environmental regulation is essential. A healthy environment is a fundamental right, making the ongoing systemic neglect a clear violation of that right.