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Belarus is still feeling the effects of the Chernobyl disaster, which took place in 1986. About 70% of the radioactive fallout from the disaster landed in the country, contaminating one-fourth of its land, one-fifth of its agricultural land, and affecting at least 7 million people. The impact of the disaster on Belarus has been described as breathtakingly grim, with many inhabitants continuing to eat fruit and vegetables, fish, mushrooms, and berries cultivated in areas exposed to radiation.
The Belarusian government has been criticised for its handling of the disaster, with allegations that it has manipulated public memory and opinion through propaganda. There are also concerns about the safety of the exclusion zone, with reports of radiation levels spiking due to factors such as forest fires. Despite these issues, Belarus has opened up the exclusion zone to small numbers of tourists, with the focus on wildlife tourism rather than dark tourism.
What You'll Learn
Belarus received 70% of Chernobyl's nuclear fallout
Belarus received about 70% of the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl disaster, contaminating one-fourth of the country, including one-fifth of its agricultural land. This fallout affected at least 7 million people, and more than 2,000 towns and villages were evacuated. Chernobyl International, a humanitarian organisation with links to the United Nations, estimates that the disaster costs Belarus 20% of its annual budget.
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant was located near the city of Pripyat in northern Ukraine, then part of the Ukrainian SSR, close to the border with the Byelorussian SSR. The accident occurred on April 26, 1986, when a planned shutdown of the reactor, lasting 20 seconds, seemed like a routine check of electrical equipment. However, a few seconds later, a chemical explosion released about 520 types of dangerous radionuclides into the atmosphere.
In the aftermath of the disaster, the Belarusian government designated the most toxic area, along the Ukrainian border and closest to the plant, as the Polesie State Radioecological Reserve. This restricted zone, once home to numerous villages, was to be used exclusively for scientific monitoring and research. However, in recent years, Belarusian authorities have tentatively started offering tour routes through the Reserve.
The impact of the Chernobyl disaster on Belarus has been devastating, with high rates of cancer and other health issues reported in the affected areas. Recent independent field research by Greenpeace concluded that harmful isotopes such as caesium-137 and strontium-90 have decreased considerably in Belarus since 1986, but they persist in economically depressed towns and continue to affect the population.
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12% of Belarus's territory is still contaminated
Belarus was heavily affected by the Chernobyl disaster. About 70% of the radioactive fallout landed in the country, contaminating one-fourth of its territory, one-fifth of its agricultural land, and affecting at least 7 million people. More than 2,000 towns and villages were evacuated, and about half a million people have been relocated since 1986.
Even today, 38 years after the disaster, 12% of Belarus's territory is still contaminated. The Polesie State Radioecological Reserve, located in the north of the Ukrainian part of the Exclusion Zone, is part of the territory of the Republic of Belarus. There are 96 abandoned settlements in the area, which was once home to more than 22,000 residents.
The impact of the disaster on Belarus has been described as "breathtakingly grim". The humanitarian organization, Chernobyl International, estimates that the disaster costs Belarus 20% of its annual budget. The effects of the radiation are still being felt, with many inhabitants continuing to eat fruit and vegetables, fish, mushrooms, and berries cultivated in areas exposed to radiation.
Recent research has shown that harmful isotopes such as cesium-137 and strontium-90 have decreased considerably in Belarus since 1986, but they persist in economically depressed towns. The radiation levels in the exclusion zone can also be affected by forest fires, which can cause radiation to spike.
The Belarusian government has been criticized for its handling of the disaster and its aftermath. The leader of Belarus, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, has been accused of using propaganda to manipulate public memory and opinion around the tragedy. Economic goals, rather than the well-being of the people, are said to have driven the government's response to the disaster.
Despite the risks, the Belarusian section of the exclusion zone has opened to small numbers of tourists in recent years, although the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have since closed it to visitors.
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The Polesie State Radioecological Reserve
The reserve was created to enclose the territory of Belarus most affected by the disaster, and it adjoins the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Before the disaster, over 22,000 people lived in the area across 96 settlements, but the population was evacuated after the accident. The reserve is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species such as the European pond turtle, the Przewalski horse, and the brown bear. In total, there are 7 reptile, 11 amphibian, 46 mammal, 213 bird, and 25 fish species.
The reserve serves as a research centre for studying the effects of radiation on the environment and wildlife. It is also a popular destination for eco-tourists interested in learning about the effects of radiation and conservation efforts. The reserve's management has implemented measures to protect the environment and wildlife from further radiation exposure, including monitoring radiation levels, preventing wildfires, and planting trees to prevent air and water erosion, which could spread contaminated material.
The reserve's administration is located in the town of Khoiniki, and the annual budget is 4 million USD. The main activities of the reserve include preventing the spread of radioactive material beyond its borders, radiation monitoring, and researching the nuclear decontamination of soil.
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The Belarusian government designated the most toxic area as a restricted zone
The impact of the Chernobyl disaster on Belarus has been described as "breathtakingly grim". About 70% of the radioactive fallout from the disaster landed in the country, contaminating one-fourth of its land, one-fifth of its agricultural land, and affecting at least 7 million people. More than 2,000 towns and villages were evacuated, and about half a million people have been relocated since 1986.
In the aftermath of the disaster, the Belarusian government designated the most toxic area, along the Ukrainian border and closest to the plant, as the Polesie State Radioecological Reserve. This restricted zone, once home to numerous villages, was to be used exclusively for scientific monitoring and research.
The Polesie State Radioecological Reserve was established in 1988 and now covers an area of more than 800 square miles, divided into three regions: Brahin, Khoiniki, and Naroulia. Before the disaster, this largely agrarian region was home to more than 22,000 people spread across 95 villages. Now, it's home to wildlife, including moose, deer, lynx, and bison, as well as 48 of Belarus's 189 species of endangered plants.
In November 2018, Belarusian authorities began offering tour routes through the Reserve. Visitors to the zone are required to follow strict rules, including prohibitions on smoking, alcohol, and eating in the open. Before leaving, they must undergo decontamination, including pressure hosing and passing through human-sized Geiger counters.
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The Belarusian section of the exclusion zone only opened to tourists in 2018
The Belarusian section of the exclusion zone, known as the Polesie State Radioecological Reserve, only opened to tourists in November 2018. This was in response to the growing tourism in the Ukrainian section of the exclusion zone. However, the Belarusian authorities were initially hesitant to open the area to tourism, opting for a low-level approach with highly regulated tours.
The Belarusian exclusion zone is located in the southern part of the country, close to the Ukrainian border. It covers an area of more than 800 square miles and includes 95 abandoned villages that were once home to over 22,000 people. The zone is divided into three regions: Brahin, Khoiniki, and Naroulia.
Tourists visiting the Belarusian exclusion zone can expect to see abandoned villages, monuments, and memorials that bear the marks of the Chernobyl disaster. The zone is also home to thriving wildlife, including bison, deer, lynx, and various species of endangered plants and birds.
While the radiation levels in the exclusion zone have decreased over time, the area is still considered contaminated. Belarusian officials state that 12% of the country's territory, including parts of the exclusion zone, remains contaminated. Visitors to the zone are advised to follow safety protocols, such as radiation checks upon exiting, to ensure they do not carry any radioactive particles with them.
The impact of the Chernobyl disaster on Belarus has been significant, with about 70% of the radioactive fallout from the accident landing in the country. This resulted in the contamination of one-fourth of Belarus's territory, affecting millions of people and leading to the evacuation of thousands of towns and villages. Even decades after the disaster, the effects of radiation continue to be felt, with reports of health issues and birth defects among those living in the affected areas.
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Frequently asked questions
While Belarus has opened its exclusion zone to tourists, the area is still contaminated by radiation. Visitors are advised to wear clothes they are comfortable with throwing away and to avoid plant life.
On April 26, 1986, there was an explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union. This was one of the only two nuclear energy accidents rated at the maximum severity on the International Nuclear Event Scale. The explosion released radioactive contaminants across the USSR and Europe, and the area surrounding the plant was evacuated.
About 70% of the radioactive fallout from the disaster landed in Belarus, contaminating one-fourth of the country and affecting at least 7 million people. More than 2,000 towns and villages were evacuated, and about half a million people have been relocated since 1986.
The exclusion zone in Belarus, officially titled the Polesie State Radioecological Reserve, has become one of Europe's largest nature reserves. It is home to bison, wolves, wild dogs, and the endangered Przewalski's horse. However, the effects of the disaster are still felt, with residents reporting health issues and cancer.
