Chernobyl: Upcoming Tourist Hotspot?
By Arnab Ghosh, Gaea News NetworkTuesday, December 14, 2010
CHERNOBYL, UKRAINE (GaeaTimes.com)- Ukraine government has said that it is going to make the restricted Chernobyl power plant adjacent regions into tourist hotspots. In 1986 the Nuclear reactor at the power plant exploded killing 32 workers and many others later succumbed to the radiation related ailments and infections. The Chernobyl disaster is remembered as a huge man made disaster having long term implication on health and environment. The spot which has been kept inaccessible to general public as well as tourists will be made accessible for tourists next year. Till now the background radiation level in the region is far above the permissible limit but wildlife has thrived there. Trees have grown aplenty over the years as well. The explosion of the nuclear power reactor at the plant sent shock waves in Europe and resulted in evacuation of thousands of residents in nearby regions. The ghost city Pripyat is likely to become a major tourist attraction when the ban is lifted next year.
At present the Chernobyl Zone Authority guides help a limited number of people to explore the area but that is sponsored by non government travel agencies. To enter the hitherto prohibited zone in Chernobyl the tourist have to take the help of a certified guide. This is imperative as certain regions in the zone still remain harmful for humans and can cause health problems.
The Ukraine government has said that the tourists who will be allowed in Chernobyl next year onwards, would not be permitted to wander for safety reasons. The government officials said that after so many years the radiation level has subsided except in some places in the deserted plant.
