Russiansto be offered free plots of land amid Arctic push, says draft law

Russianswill be able to obtainplots of land inRussia's Arctic free of charge to build homesand set up businesses under a draft law drawn up by thegovernment as the Kremlin pushes to develop its resource-rich Far North.

President Vladimir Putin has madeRussia's swathe of theArctic a priority, revamping infrastructure, beefing up itsmilitary presence and trying to make the Northern Sea Route animportant shipping route.

The legislation drafted by the Natural Resources Ministryoutlines a program for the RussianArctic's residents toacquire up to one hectare of land for free to build a home oruse for business, such as tourism.

After six months, that program would be opened up to allRussians, the resources ministry said in a statement. Theproposal still needs to be approved by parliament and signed byPutin before it becomes law.

Under the proposal, individual Arctic regions will determinewhich plots of land are to be earmarked for the program. Theywould be handed over for five years after which holders wouldhave to register as owners or set up long-term leases.

Moscow launched a similar initiative in its Far East in 2016to nurture the population and economy in its sparsely populatedeastern fringe.

"It will definitely serve as a factor to attract newresidents to the Arctic, including to set up small businesses,"Murmansk region's governor said.

Around 90 per cent of the 2.5 million people inRussia's Arctic livein big cities such as Murmansk, Norilsk and Arkhangelsk, theministry said.

Moscow rapidly expanded its Arctic footprint during theSoviet period, but industry was scaled back after the 1991 Soviet breakup leading to a population decline.

Russianscientists are organizing their first majorexpedition to the Arctic in decades to study climate change,mining company Norilsk Nickel said on Thursday, weeks after agiant fuel leak at one of its power plants in Siberia.