Tourism in Russia

By: vladimir

Baikal: National parks and reserves

The idea of forming national parks was suggested in 1832 by American scientist and artist George Katlin. National parks in Russia began forming only in 1970-s. Water of the Baikal is pure, clear and one can observe the underwater life. Air and environment are not touched by mighty hand of civilization. Local inhabitants and power wanted to keep this jewel for the next generation. And it was decided to organize reserves on the bank of Baikal. Here were formed 3 reserves and national parks.

Baikal national park

It was based in 1986 on the western bank of the Baikal. The territory park includes the largest island of the Baikal Olhon. The total area of the park makes up 417.297 ha. Here there are 10 forest areas. 284.7 thousand ha (70% of the territory of the park) are occupied by forests. Pine forests, often with a touch of larch prevail.

In the watershed a small area is occupied by cedar and cedar-fir forests, on the slopes of mountains – rarer fir-woods. The landscape of the national park is very various and picturesque. The great interest is represented by relic steppes. It is remains of tundra-steppe of the late Age of Mamma; they are interesting for their kept biological types of former epochs.

The flora of the park numbers over 1344 species. Among them are only 250 species of lichens and 200 – of moss. In the park grow: tick trefoil, cotoneaster, oxytrope trifoliate and etc.

Animal world is also rich and various. The park numbers 64 species of mammalians. Among them: vermin -14, ungulates – 6, about 34 species of birds. On the small rocky islands of the small sea there are the largest colonies of herring gull. The special value is represented by breeding colony of sunny eagle. Here one can observe migration of many rare feathered birds of prey (eagles, sea-eagles, falcons and also black stork.

The world fame is gained by rock paintings on rock Sagan-Zaba. They include portrayals of shamans, running deer, swans. The age of the pictures numbers 2.5 thousand years. Without permit of administration biological collections (including herbariums) are prohibited.

Every year organization of road and transport system (about 60 km for 10 years), building of tourist quarters (in all – 937 quarters) is carried out.

Transbaikalia State national park

The park was organized in 1986. It occupies Chivirkuisky bay, peninsula of St. Nos, archipelago Usaniy islands with the largest in the Baikal breeding-ground of seal. The park is situated in the middle part of the eastern coast of the Baikal. The area of the park is 267.17 thousand ha. Forest lands occupy 159.6 thousand ha; bogs – 77.0 thousand ha. The park is crossed by 5 pedestrian routes to the mountain Markov, the highest mountain peak of peninsula of St. Nos, which opens panorama of Ushaniy islands, the northern part of Chivirkuisky bay.

Three mineral springs: Zmeiniy, Kulinie bogs, Nechaevskie – enjoy the popularity. The territory of the park numbers 299 species of animals, 3 species of Amphibia and 3 species of reptiles. There are 241 species of birds, among which are such rare species as peregrine, hooded crane, golden eagle, Pallas’ sea eagle, erne and others.

Barguzinsky biosphere reserve

It was established in 1916 and became the first in Russia game-preserve. His task included preservation and studying of sables. Today it is the oldest reserve in Russia. In 1986 it received the status of biosphere reserve of UNESCO. The reserve is situated in the north-east part of the western side ob Barguzinsky mountain ridge.

The reserve numbers 874 species of plants. Long-term protection of Barguzinsky reserve beneficially affected the number of animal population. Population of bears makes up 250 individuals, squirrels – 500-10,000. The reserve numbers 39 species of mammalians, 243 species of reptiles and 2 species of amphibians. The primary part of the territory is presented by taiga forests of various types. Flora of the higher plants numbers 920 species. Mushrooms are also widely spread here – about 100 species).

On the territory of the reserve there are the ancient volcanoes – South Kedrovsky and Solnechniy, belonging to the number of the largest in the world; their age is 1560 – 1710 million years. In the valley of rivers the Ezovka, Bolshoi, Talamuna and Davshi there are thermal springs with a temperature of whater in some of them – 70 C.

Tunkinsky national park

The national park was established in 1991. Occupying the territory in 1.183 ha, the national park is one of the beautiful nooks.

Here you’ll meet rare and unique species of plants and also will see the variety of the animal world. The national park numbers 62 species of birds, entered in the Red Book of Buryatia. In forests of Hamar-Daban and eastern Sayan there is northern deer and Siberian ibex. Objects of natural landscape are also interesting.

Extinct volcano near villages Sagantur and Hurai-hobok belong to the volcano constructions of quaternary. Geological outcrop “White ravine” near village Tunka is on of interesting and explored part of the overburden of Tunkanskaya valley.

In the Kingera river there is a waterfall. The fast waters of the mountain river fall from a high of more than 12 m. It is the place of tourists’ visiting. The place of worship of natives is “Tamhi-Baryama”. The toponym literally means “to blow a cloud”. The local inhabitants ask gods for protection during traveling.

At present on the territory of the national park 4 car and 6 combined routes function.

Water of the Baikal is clear and it is possible to observe the underwater life. Air and the surrounding nature are not touched by powerful hand of civilization. In order to keep this treasure for the next generation, it was decided to make the reserve on the bank of the Baikal.

Article Source: http://www.share.onlypunjab.com

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