Altai Reserve is a highlight of the Altai Territory

We, people of the 21st century, accustomed not to distance themselves from civilization for longer than a few days, no-no, and begin to nostalgic about those days when they could walk around carelessly in the park, live in a village or spend the night in a tent near the fire.

Is this still possible in the modern world? "Of course," - experienced travelers will answer. However, in order to implement the plan, you will have to carefully choose the place to rest. For example, go to the Altai Reserve. Why choose this place? What is so unusual about it that tens of years have been visited here annually by residents of the surrounding settlements and visitors from near and far abroad.

This article will not only tell readers what the West-Altai Reserve is, but also share a lot of useful information necessary for a comfortable pastime in nature.

general description

The Altai State Reserve began its work long ago, on October 7, 1967, when a new protected green plot was created on the territory of the reserve, which existed from 1932 to 1951, according to the decision of the local authorities.

It should be noted that it is located geographically in the mountains of Southern Siberia and covers the Turochak and Ulagan regions of the Altai Republic.

Altai Reserve can boast an impressive area, which is 881,238 hectares.

Note that the length of the reserve from southeast to north-west is 230 km, and width - 30-40 km.

Goals and objectives

The Altai Nature Reserve was created to achieve very specific goals.

Let's try to list the most basic:

• To preserve the most valuable and rare in beauty Teletskoe lake and its landscapes;
• Protect cedar forests;
• To save the most important hunting and commercial animals that are on the verge of extinction, for example, maral, moose, sable, and so on.

Also, the main objectives of the creation of this reserve include the desire for a permanent stationary study of the nature of the region as a whole. The main task of the Altai State Nature Reserve is to provide, preserve and study:

• Typical and unique ecological systems;
• The natural course of natural phenomena and processes;
• Genetic fund of flora and fauna;
• Separate species and communities of animals and plants.

Features of local flora

Reserves of the Altai Territory as a whole, like the above-mentioned territory in particular, is very rich in rare, and sometimes even unique plants.

The most common are such tree species as fir, spruce, larch, birch, cedar, pine. A true pride are mountainous eco-friendly cedar forests.

It is hard to imagine that sometimes the diameter of the cedar tree grown here can reach up to 1.8 meters, despite the fact that its age is an enormous number - 400-450 years.

In general, the West-Altai Reserve is rich and diverse. There are about 1500 species of higher plants, 111 mushrooms. Lichens alone number 272 species.

The reserve contains 668 species of algae known to mankind. Seven species of lichens from the collection, which the reserves of the Altai Territory can boast, are listed in the Red Book of Russia. Such low plants include labory (both mesh and pulmonary), stikata bordered and others.

Interestingly, in the local parts there is a diverse species composition of animals and plants. A significant diversity of vegetation is created due to the local diversity of climatic and natural-historical conditions, as well as due to the difficult terrain with altitudes, in some places reaching a mark of 3500 meters.

Out of 1,500 known species of representatives of the flora, endemics and relics are found. The area of the reserve is not only impressive enough, but it is located very well: at the junction of the mountain systems of Altai, Tuva and Sayan. The exceptionally rich animal world of the reserve is determined by the diversity of natural conditions, as well as the complexity of biogeographic boundaries and natural historical development.

Animals of the Altai Reserve

One of the main species of representatives of fauna living in the Altai taiga is the sable. Cedar nuts occupy a significant place in its diet, so placing this animal on the territory of the reserve depends on the distribution of cedar, and these trees have enough Altai Reserve.

From hoofed species of animals live maral, reindeer, Siberian roe deer, Siberian goat, Siberian musk deer and mountain sheep.

The most numerous species on the area of the reserve is the maral, a large taiga-mountain deer. Like all deer, every year, with the beginning of spring, he drops his horns, and in exchange grow new ones. Young horns are called pantami. They are of great value as a raw material for medicines.

Rare inhabitants of the reserve

In the forests of the Altai Reserve, Siberian musk deer are found. It does not have horns, but it has well-developed fangs on the upper gum. Their length is about 10-12 cm. The musk gland of males of musk deer can be used in making quality spirits.

This reserve, as well as the Tigirek Reserve of the Altai Territory, is famous as a natural habitat for another fairly rare animal - a mountain Siberian goat.

In the southern side, as well as on the adjacent territory, there are mountain sheep in the wild. True, it should be noted that due to the extermination of both predators and humans, these animals were only a few dozen, so they, together with the snow leopard, are listed in the Red Book.

Very few people know that only about 35 years ago a wild boar entered Tuva from Tuva. And for today it is already quite widespread in the territory of this reserve, it successfully reproduces and gradually increases in numbers.

The Altai Reserve is also home to large predators such as the wolf, bear, wolverine and lynx. The bear lives in the Altai mountains. He is extremely mobile and develops a fairly high speed when running. Before he lies in the den, he accumulates a huge amount of fat, which is considered to be healing. In the spring evenings, as well as in the morning, bears can be seen grazing on the southern slopes of the mountains, where they eat young shoots.

Structure of the reserve

At present, the Altai Reserve consists of four departments:

• Scientific;
• Environmental education;
• Security;
• Economic.

One of the most important functions in the reserve is performed with the help of the security department.

The main scientific task is to study the natural course of processes in natural complexes located on the territory of the Altai Reserve. With the help of the research team, studies are conducted in different directions. Today, the scientific department of the Altai Reserve takes an active part in the study of argala, musk deer, and snow leopard.

The sector of environmental education was created with the aim of forming an understanding among the Russian society of the problem related to environmental protection and environmental safety. In connection with this, the specialists of the reserve conduct various activities not only with the guests of the reserve, but also with the population.

History of creation

May 24, 1958 the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR issued an order aimed at the restoration of this natural park, the area of which at that time was 914777 hectares.

However, in the summer of 1961 the Altai Reserve was again disbanded. During the period from 1965 to 1967, the scientific community of Siberia raised the issue of the need to create such a special security place within the territory of the reserve that is located here earlier.

On March 24, 1967, the Executive Committee of the Altai Territorial Council of Working People's Deputies decided to establish a specially protected zone in order to preserve the unique natural complex of the Pritetskaya taiga and the Teletskoye Lake.

What to see first?

You can get to the Altai Reserve only from the Teletskoye Lake, so you will certainly have the opportunity to get acquainted and appreciate the so-called Altyn-Kolya.

Russian name is the lake received from the Cossacks, who first appeared here in the 17th century. The origin of the unusual name is associated with the Altaic tribe of Teles who lived on the shore of the lake.

Also in the reserve there are interesting routes, such as Lake Kholodnoye, the Korbu, Kishte and Unapproachable waterfalls.

By the way, not everyone knows that the waterfall Korbu is located in the middle of the Teletskoye Lake. It has a well-equipped observation deck and information stands, and the height is 12.5 meters. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls of the reserve.

Corbu Waterfall

This place is located on the same name river Korbu, which flows into Teletskoye Lake. The entire right bank of the lake is also located on the territory of the Altai Reserve.

The waterfall forms a cloud of water dust, which constantly hovers around it.

Guests of the reserve, located on a spacious viewing platform of the waterfall, have a magnificent view. In winter, when the river is completely freezing, the Corbu waterfall creates a continuous picturesque ice wall.

You can get to the waterfall only way: you need to cross the lake with a boat. This tour is very popular among tourists. However, there is some danger for travelers who are coming to the waterfall on the lake, as there is a possibility that the top or low will begin, which sometimes makes the trip almost impossible.

Since 1978, the Korbu waterfall is in the status of a natural monument.

Falls of Kishte

This stunning and picturesque place is located on the river of the same name, which flows into the Teletskoye Lake on the right bank.

The tourists can enjoy the amazing beauty of this waterfall close by.

Note that you can get to the waterfall only with the help of a motor boat, since the pleasure boat does not enter it. The noise of the falling water can be heard from the lake, so, in fact, it was called Kishte, which means "calling."

It also has a second name - Sable. It should be noted that the waterfall is located on the territory of the Altai Reserve, so in order to visit it, you need to have a special permit.

What is forbidden to do on the territory of the reserve?

Any activity that contradicts the purposes of the reserve is prohibited. Therefore on its territory it is impossible:

• Is to pass and pass to strangers and vehicles;
• Cut down the forest, prepare gum, wood juices, medicinal plants and technical raw materials, collect wild fruits, berries, mushrooms, flowers;
• Mowing hay, grazing cattle, placing hives and apiaries;
• Hunt and fish;
• Build buildings, roads and other communications;
• Pollute the territory with various wastes and garbage;
• Damage and destroy information signs and stands of the reserve, and also do something that interferes with the natural development of natural processes and threatens natural complexes and objects.