The Yamal Peninsula in the north of Siberia is populated by indigenous people, the Nenets, who have lived here for centuries. They had no choice but to adapt to the harsh climate of the Arctic coast with its year-round subzero temperatures and severe snow storms. The Nenets live in tundra and they wander far from their settlements as they follow their herds of reindeer.
Gazprom, Russia’s leading gas company, has made huge finds here, the fabulous riches of gas and oil. The company is making a large contribution to the regional budget and pays a lot of attention to the Nenets. The indigenous population has to be relocated in the places where gas fields are developed. Gazprom also has to pay attention to the ecological problems of the region, because gas production causes certain damage to the ecology of Yamal.
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