Katunsky Reserve. Katun Biosphere Reserve

The Altai Territory is the beauty and pride of Russia. Its name comes from the Mongolian word "Altyn", which means "golden." Its archaeological monuments and reserves have rightfully become one of the best excursion routes of Altai. Medicinal plants, mineral springs, medicinal air - a magnificent natural complex, which has no analogues in Russia.

The Katunsky Reserve with its diverse flora and fauna has long been an object of close attention. VP Semenov-Tian-Shansky at the beginning of the 20th century suggested that such a territory should become a reserve. Waterfalls and snow-white peaks served as a source of inspiration for the philosopher-artist N. K. Roerich.

Where is the reserve?

Katunsky Reserve is located in the highest part of the Altai Republic (Ust-Koksinsky region). There dominates the continental climate, which entails heavy precipitation in the fall and spring. A hot, dry summer and a severe frosty winter. The entire territory of the reserve is located on the southern slope of the Katun Ridge.

In this area, two sites are included in the World Natural Heritage List. This is the Katun Biosphere Reserve itself And Belukha Mountain. It is the most beautiful corner of Altai and the highest point of Siberia. From the Belukha mountain originates the Katun River.

The main manor of the reserve, where the museum is located, is in the village of Ust-Koksa. The log-built octagonal house is the traditional home of the Altaians. Bright exposition of household items, musical instruments, weapons. Ethnic Museum - an amazing in its beauty spectacle.

Reserves of Altai

The Altai Republic is the keeper of architectural monuments of different eras since the Neolithic period. On this territory there are places untouched by civilization. The splendor of the slopes, glaciers, lakes and waterfalls is amazing with its beauty. Golden root, panty, mummy and propolis from mountain apiaries - these ecologically pure products can be found only in the Altai Territory. They have a natural origin and medicinal properties.

It is believed that the mythical country of Shambhala, surrounded by 9 mountains, is located right here. Altai is the birthplace of all Turkic peoples. Kurgan, soil burial grounds of ancient settlements can be found throughout the republic. There are religious buildings of Muslims, Buddhists, Old Believers, pagans.

List of reserves Altai Territory includes 3 reserves - Tigirek, Altai, Katun. They are specially protected natural areas.

Tigirek nature reserve

It is located in the south of the Altai Territory. It is located on the territory of Tretyakov, Krasnoshchekovsky, Zmeinogorsky district. In 2012, a documentary about the Tigirek Reserve, its work and research activities was released. Reserves of mountainous Altai participate in the program "Chronicle of nature". Since 2004, the Tigirek Reserve has conducted environmental monitoring. It turned out that some species of butterflies exist only in this reserve.

Altai Reserve

Located on the right bank of the Teletskoye Lake, Chulyshman River. This is the north-eastern part of the republic. It occupies the territory of Ulagan and Turachak District. Includes a part of the water area of the Teletskoye Lake, known for its cleanliness. State natural reserves Can not boast of such biological diversity as the Altai Reserve. He preserves and studies the genetic fund of the animal and plant world on its territory.

Katun Nature Reserve

It is located in the Ust-Koksinsky district. Reservoirs reservoirs belong to the same basin. The Katun River rests entirely in the Katun Reserve. Here is the most powerful Siberian center of glaciation. The total area of glaciers is slightly more than 900 square meters. The Biosphere Reserve is an inviolable territory that is designed to preserve the ecological balance. In connection with the development of industry (minerals, logging) and the testing of weapons (biological, chemical, nuclear, hydrogen), some species of flora and fauna of the world have disappeared. Therefore, biosphere reserves are the standards of the Earth's ecosystems. It is they who preserve a fragile ecological balance.

Biosphere Reserve - what is it?

In 2000, the Katunsky Reserve received the status of a biosphere reserve. In one global network, UNESCO unified all nature reserves. These are 564 biosphere national reserves. They are all objects of international importance.

The biosphere reserve is a protected area of the territory, on the basis of which there is a constant scientific research work. The main goal is to preserve the natural appearance of ecosystems and landscapes. Biosphere reserves are created on the basis of natural reserves, parks and meet certain requirements. They have to:

• To be the standard of nature of a certain locality.
• To have rare species of flora, fauna or unique ecosystem, complexes on its territory.
• To be a reference point for conducting work, assessing changes in natural complexes, the biosphere.
• Have an appropriate basis for the protection and conduct of research work.

Types of reserves

If a site of water or terrestrial space is removed from economic use, flora and fauna are completely preserved there. Such a territory becomes a reserve. Scientific research is conducted in the reserves. State nature reserves are an ecological, cultural heritage and have a strict system of protection.

There are many kinds of reservations. All of them are subdivided into natural and artificially created objects. The main objectives of the reserve are the preservation of ecosystems, natural complexes in the most natural form, their study.

Artificial objects are:

1. Zoological gardens.
2. Dendrological parks.
3. Botanical gardens.
4. Monuments of landscape art.

Natural objects are:

1. Biosphere reserves.
2. National nature parks.
3. Reserves.
4. Natural reserves.
5. Landscaped parks.
6. Monuments of nature.
7. The reserved natural boundary.

Rules of conduct in the reserve

Katunsky reserve is a protected nature reserve. Around its inviolable ecological core is a buffer zone and a cooperation zone. Only there excursions and tourist routes are possible. Only there is allocated territory for travel and scientific work of people. The essence of the core of the reserve is the preservation of an ecologically clean biosphere. There are certain rules for visiting a world-class reserve. Such as the Katunsky Reserve.

• All routes are laid along a certain path. You should not leave it. All parking and overnight stays - in strictly designated places.
• Bonfires only in designated parking lots.
• It is forbidden to cut down trees, bushes. Use dead wood for breeding campfires, setting tents.
• All garbage is burnt in the fires. Metal objects, pre-calcined on fire, leave in specially designated places.
• It is forbidden to tear off branches and flowers, to hunt, to fish.
• Do not create a strong sound background, do not make noise in the territory.
• For photo and video shooting, permission of the reserve administration is necessary.
• Passage of vehicles, water transport is carried out by passes. They are issued by the administration in the village of Ust-Koksa, in the central manor.

History of creation

Katunsky Reserve was established on June 25, 1991. At first it had the status of a state nature reserve with an area of 151 664 hectares. And only in January 2000 received the status of a biosphere reserve.

The Altai Territory is famous for its multitude of cultures, peoples, religions, concentrated on its territory. In Ust-Koksinsky district there are unique archaeological monuments. These are rock carvings, "stone women", mounds of Pazyryk and Hunno-Sarmatian epoch. There is a museum in the district devoted entirely to the culture of the Old Believers.

The famous artist N. K. Roerich created his unforgettable paintings, inspired by the beauty of the region. Tourist routes of his fans go to places of residence, work of the philosopher. Including the territory of the reserve.

Flora and fauna

On the territory of the Katunsky Reserve there are animals and plants listed in the Red Book of Russia.

Flora. Steppes and meadows are replaced by deciduous and coniferous forests. The abundance of medicinal herbs, cedar forests makes this region picturesque and curative. Types of plants: steppe peony and Altaic rhubarb, Siberian barberry and small gruzanka; Raspberry, honeysuckle, Kirilova sedge; Larch, birch, mountain ash, spruce; Willow trees, alpine meadows, shrubs from the Kuril tea; Onion dwarfish and Altai, feather feather grass, rhodiola rosea, Siberian kandik.

Fauna. Forest animals - moose, musk deer, hare-hare, maral. Fur - protein, sable, chipmunk. Predators - bear, wolverine, weasel, ermine, lynx, American mink, snow leopard. In the highlands there is a Siberian mountain goat. Birds - mountain duple, capercaillie, snipe, tundra and white partridge, owl, black stork, Altaian snowcock, Saker Falcon, peregrine falcon. Pisces - grayling, Siberian gudgeon, common burbot, char, undercooking. Snakes - steppe and common viper, patterned skid, shield-muzzle. Lizards, a green toad, a sharp-edged frog.

Tourist routes

Excursion tours are designed for different types of recreation. For the family route, easier ways are prepared, which are not difficult. Extreme tours are designed for active recreation, pass through high-mountain lakes, slopes.

During the tour it is allowed to photograph, shoot animals, nature. The tour includes horse riding, accommodation with a bath, traditional cuisine. In the autumn period, it is possible to fish for taimen, grayling. The Katun Biosphere Reserve has several high-mountain apiaries. There you can try mead and honey, get acquainted with the work of beekeepers.

"The Kingdom of Blue Lakes." The tourist route lasts 12 days. For those who like active leisure and hiking, the excursion is planned to conquer the snowy pass. Tour of the high-mountain spurs of the Katunsky ridge to the cascade of the Multinsky Lakes.

"Belovodie." The tourist route lasts 6 days. Visiting waterfalls, Multinsky Lakes. This trip is for the whole family.

«Multinsky ring». The tourist route lasts 8 days. The excursion includes visiting mountain waterfalls, lakes. Visit the Museum of Old Believers and the Museum of N.K. Roerich in the village of Upper Uimon. Travel for the whole family.

"Christmas in the realm of snows." The tourist route lasts 5 days. Excursion to the foot of the Katun Ridge. It is a winter tour on snowmobiles with a visit to high-mountain lakes.