Changes

==Environment==

==Environment==

The massive April 26, 1986 nuclear accident at the [[Chernobyl]] power plant, across the border in [[Ukraine]], had a devastating effect on Belarus; as a result of the radiation release, agriculture in a large part of the country was destroyed.{{fact}}

The most serious environmental issue in Belarus results from the accident on April 26, 1986 at the [[Chernobyl]] nuclear power plant. About 70% of the nuclear fallout from the plant landed on Belarusian territory. [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5371.htm]

 

Many villages were abandoned. Resettlement and medical costs were substantial and long-term. As a matter of policy, the government is now resettling this land and promoting agricultural production in the contaminated areas. [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5371.htm]

Many villages were abandoned. Resettlement and medical costs were substantial and long-term. As a matter of policy, the government is now resettling this land and promoting agricultural production in the contaminated areas. [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5371.htm]

As of mid-2005, fewer than 50 deaths have been directly attributed to radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, with almost all the deaths being among highly exposed rescue workers, according to a new United Nations report. [http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=17970]

As of mid-2005, fewer than 50 deaths have been directly attributed to radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, with almost all the deaths being among highly exposed rescue workers, according to a new United Nations report. [http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=17970]