The Great Environmental Destruction Projects of Communism
At the end of the 1920s, the USSR adopted a course of rapid industrialization, which essentially required a large amount of electricity. In this regard, in 1931-1936 the "Big Volga" scheme was developed, which provided for the radical reconstruction of the river for energy, transport and irrigation purposes [2]. In addition, the conquest of Europe by Nazi Germany, and then of the Cold War, attached particular importance to the creation of a powerful energy base on the Volga [3].
The Great Construction Projects of Communism Our gain is their loss
Utmost priority in the planning and construction of hydroelectric power plants was given to ensuring the safety and reliability of the stations and their economic and technical efficiency [4]. The socio-cultural impact was considered a secondary problem and the environmental issues omitted. A full-fledged study of the ecological conditions of the power plant construction became possible in 1960-1970s when 7 out 8 stations were already commissioned [4]. "The Great Construction Projects of Communism" significantly altered the natural habitat of numerous fish species, including sturgeon, and led to the deterioration of the major Volga fisheries [5].
The Volga Hydroelectric Power Plant construction, 1952