The "Water of Russia" congress will unite experts and volunteers in Naberezhnye Chelny.

      Next week, on April 16 and 17, a two-day environmental congress "Water of Russia" will take place in Naberezhnye Chelny, aimed at uniting the professional community and the volunteer movement. The first day will be dedicated to expert work, while the second will mark the launch of the cleaning season along the banks across the country. The event is organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia, with coordination from the Analytical Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Tatarstan. The first day of the congress will begin with an extended meeting on "Current Issues of Water Use." The focus will be on analyzing current environmental challenges and developing systemic solutions at both federal and regional levels. Participants will include Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation Maxim Korolkov, Minister of Ecology of Tatarstan Azat Ziganshin, heads of regional ministries of ecology, heads of relevant departments, and leading federal-level ecological experts. The discussion will be moderated by Elena Dovlatova, Executive Director of the Russian Association of Water Supply and Wastewater. On the first day, there will also be a seminar for regional representatives of the All-Russian action "Water of Russia." Participants will discuss practical mechanisms for coordinating environmental initiatives on the ground, share experiences of organizing clean-up days, and outline plans for the upcoming season. On the following day, April 17, Maxim Korolkov, along with the mayor of Naberezhnye Chelny Nail Magdeev and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Tatarstan Azat Ziganshin, will officially open the new season of the "Water of Russia" action. All regions of the country will join the nationwide clean-up day, some of them broadcasting live. Participants of the environmental congress, volunteers, and residents of the Auto City will head to the banks of the Kama River for a large-scale clean-up. The eco-festival program in Naberezhnye Chelny includes interactive zones, master classes, fitness warm-ups, and a concert program. "The environmental congress 'Water of Russia' in Naberezhnye Chelny is an event not only for the Republic of Tatarstan but for the entire country. The unification of the expert community and the volunteer movement allows us to systematically address issues of preserving water resources and coastal areas. It is especially important that this year the congress simultaneously addresses two tasks: at the expert level, we are developing systemic solutions in the field of water use, and at the practical level, we are launching a new season of cleaning the banks across Russia. Tatarstan is ready to share its experience and learn from colleagues. I am confident that through joint efforts we can not only preserve but also enhance the water heritage of our country," said Minister of Ecology of Tatarstan Azat Ziganshin. Representatives of the All-Russian Environmental Public Movement "Ecosystem," the Charitable Foundation "We Help," and corporate volunteers from PJSC "KAMAZ" have already announced their participation in the opening of the "Water of Russia" action season. "The unification of efforts for the ecological well-being of present and future generations is a significant indicator of the formation of a fundamentally new ecological consciousness. This is precisely the basis on which a society of careful attitude towards the environment, particularly towards water resources, is built. We invite everyone who is proud of, loves, and wishes prosperity for their homeland to contribute personally to its ecological recovery. Join the 'Water of Russia' action in your region!" noted Vyacheslav Dunaev, Director of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Analytical Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia."

      The Republic of Tatarstan has been the winner of the All-Russian action "Water of Russia" for cleaning the banks for five consecutive years. In 2025 alone, over 8,000 environmental events for cleaning coastal areas from garbage took place in Tatarstan. 410,479 concerned citizens participated, collecting a significant amount of waste in the region. Cleaning over 11,000 kilometers of the bank was made possible thanks to the active civic stance of Tatarstan residents and their desire to preserve the natural wealth of their homeland.

      Photo: © Vladimir Vasiliev / "Tatar-inform"