Mysterious desert Alyoshkovskie sands near Kherson (Ukraine)

Few people know about the small desert located in the Kherson region in Ukraine. After all, the first names that arise in the head, when asked about the deserts of the world, are the Sahara, Gobi or Kara-Kum. Almost everyone knows large deserts, but they only know about small ones. Here such little-known piece of the earth are Aleshkovsky sands.

Location:

The arid region is located only 30 km east of the city of Kherson. However, it has not a continuous sandy massif, but consists of seven separate desert areas. They are named for nearby settlements and adjoin the western part of the city of Novaya Kakhovka, the southern part of the village of Kazachi Lagery and the city of Tsyurupinsk, the northern part of Vinogradovo, Chulakovka, Ivanovka and completely occupy the Kinburn Peninsula.

The total length of the desert area from north to south is about 40 km, from east to west - about 150 km. In order to stop the spread of the desert, artificial coniferous plantations were created. Therefore, now a small area of about 15 km in diameter remains deserted, it is located in the area of Kazachyelagerny area. Desert Aleshkovsky sands attracts a lot of tourists, because not everyone can afford to go on a tour to the Sahara. That is why many are striving to be in this part of Ukraine. The spectacle is amazing and incredible.

Park in the desert

On the territory of two eastern sandy areas there is the national park "Aleshkovskie sands", which was created in 2010. The arid desert is the largest in Ukraine. The height of the dunes and hills reaches five meters. At the former training ground, located in the sands near the village of Kazachi-Lagheri, exercises of military pilots on bombing were conducted. Even now in the sands you can find shells or metal parts, so scientific research on flora and fauna has been interrupted.

But this does not diminish the interest of holidaymakers, every tourist wants to see with their own eyes Aleshkovsky sands. The polygon has ceased to exist here, therefore, extreme guides with small groups of people often make their way here.

The Desert Origin

Sands in the lower reaches of the Dnieper were always, they were restrained by a scant plant cover. In the 18th century, they started breeding sheep and began to bring in large herds. Uncontrolled grazing led to the fact that the sheep had destroyed the grass restraining the sands, thereby allowing the desert to expand.

The view that the sandy area appeared as a result of climate change is erroneous. Back in 1880, this area was described as completely covered with vegetation, in places even there were small forests. But uncontrolled sheep grazing and deforestation led to a deplorable result. The sandy area began to expand under the influence of the wind. So formed Aleshkovsky sands.

Saving nature

Then, at the end of the 18th century, measures were taken to strengthen the borders of the desert. Began to plant special varieties of coniferous trees, able to grow on scanty sandy soil. Forestry was formed. But at a time when the peasants were given land, all the work went to waste, and the desert area increased. And only since 1920, active measures have been taken to restore the forestry and plant coniferous trees. Now the distribution of sand is stopped, forest massifs are planted along the perimeter of the desert.

Some residents of the city of Novaya Kakhovka can show old pictures and sketches, proving that once this territory was green meadows and forests. The whole photo archive can be found in the museums of Ukraine.

Climate

Today this area is called a small desert. In fact, this is erroneous. Such areas are more related to semi-deserts, since the precipitating precipitation and temperature fluctuations are described exactly as such. However, the climate here is very severe. In summer, the sands warm up to a temperature above 70 degrees Celsius, so the air is very dry and hot.

Rains here are not so intense, and the drops evaporate very quickly. Therefore, the humidity of the air is significantly reduced, compared with the surrounding sand area. In places in the desert you can find small oases, consisting of stunted birches and pines. But you can not rest in the shadows, without the slightest wind blow you can not breathe in this heat.

Aleshkovsky sands (Kherson region) are restrained by forest plantations, but the wind sometimes brings dust to the nearest cities and villages. Destruction of forests, fires and death of trees, inability to self-reproduction are the main reasons for the expansion of the sand zone. The use of sand for construction and other household purposes leads to the fact that the groundwater table is lowered, they are polluted.

In the Aleshkov sands you can also find small lakes, mineral or fresh deep water. However, most often come across dry reservoirs. At a depth of about 400 m, an underground lake with clean and very tasty water was found.

Tourism

For acquaintance with the desert, excursion tours through the territory of the national park are conducted. The trip is very similar to the safari in Africa, since the appearance of the Aleshkovsky sands is no different from the great African deserts. The excursion route is safe and reliable, as the group is accompanied by an experienced guide. However, traveling alone is very dangerous. You can get lost among the sand or get into a sandstorm.

If you want to look at Aleshkovskie sands on your own, then it's worth remembering that there was a training ground and combat shells that can explode at any moment are still being found. Clearing all the bombs is unrealistic, since the sand is in constant motion. This complicates the work of sappers.