Seedlings of cedars, trash from the bottom of the lake, and a lively warm-up: how the central Saturday cleanup took place in Kazan.

      The central republican subbotnik took place today in Kazan's Uritsky Park as part of "EcoSpring-2026." Despite the bad weather – drizzling rain and wind, it gathered about 600 people – students, employees of enterprises and organizations, activists of the environmental movements "It Will Be Clean" and "Young Naturalists." The bottom of the artificial lake in the park was cleared by representatives of the Russian Geographical Society in Tatarstan. They were collecting trash in an inflatable boat. "Previously, newlyweds would throw keys to locks into the water, but now – coins. And there is also a lot of tinsel. During weddings and other celebrations, people love to launch fireworks made of tinsel, which does not decompose and severely pollutes water bodies and soil. It is very difficult to collect, as it is small," said one of the subbotnik participants. The eco-action began with a large warm-up led by coach Olga Pavlova. After that, the official start of the general cleaning was given. "I am glad to welcome all participants of the central republican subbotnik 'EcoSpring-2026.' Today we are gathered here for a reason. The residents of Kazan themselves chose this place to hold the central event. Today, more than 20,000 of our fellow citizens are participating in subbotniks. More than 5,500 events have taken place – subbotniks, clean-ups of parks and squares, our streets, obelisks, and monuments," said Azat Ziganshin, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Tatarstan, addressing the eco-action participants. He reminded that in two weeks, Victory Day will be celebrated. "We must prepare for this day to meet it with dignity. It is people like you who help veterans and the families of soldiers of the special military operation. For this, a huge thank you to you. I thank everyone who joined this event," noted Ziganshin. The head of the Volga-Kama interregional department of Rosprirodnadzor, Fayyaz Shakirov, reported that employees of industrial enterprises are participating in the subbotnik. According to him, large businesses make a significant contribution to environmental preservation. "This includes the reconstruction of wastewater treatment facilities, the elimination of accumulated harm objects, the reconstruction of existing landfills, and a number of other activities," said Shakirov. Dmitry Trusov, the deputy prosecutor for environmental protection in the Volga region, noted that maintaining order in the surrounding natural environment is not only a universal duty but also a basic task because nature is our common home that needs to be kept clean and orderly. Major General Alexander Borodin, head of the regional headquarters of the patriotic movement "Yunarmiya," welcomed the gathered activists. "I remember when I was once a Komsomol member, a pioneer. In the run-up to the holy holiday – Victory Day, we always tidied up the streets around our homes," he said. Borodin also wished everyone health, well-being, and a peaceful sky above their heads. The participants of the subbotnik laid flowers at the Eternal Flame and planted 70 cedar saplings in the park. The subbotnik was held in support of the national project "Environmental Well-Being." The eco-action is dedicated to the Year of Military and Labor Valor and the 65th anniversary of the first human flight into space. Workshops, a concert program, and a hot field kitchen were organized for the subbotnik participants.

      Photo: © Natalia Rybakova / "Tatar-inform"