Reserves are protected areas of the pristine nature

Preserved places: forests, rivers and mountains - these words, probably, each of us heard. Reserves are such areas of land or water area where nature (plants, animals, environment) is preserved in a primordial, untouched form. About what they differ from national parks, and what are they, read this article.

What is a reserve: definition

In explanatory dictionaries, the term "reserve" is defined as a part of land or water on which rare animals, plants, elements of inanimate nature, monuments of culture and architecture are preserved and preserved intact. The natural complex of this site is permanently removed from any use connected with economic activity, and is completely under the protection of the state. It forbids violating the integrity and microclimate of natural resources recorded at the time of the creation of the territory. Only research activities that do not harm the site are permitted.

Scientific organizations

Reserves are also institutions of a scientific nature, behind which the above-mentioned territories are fixed. They analyze the state of natural resources, follow the migration and lifestyle of animals, in every way contribute to the expansion of their populations. Any commercial activity is banned here, and budget funds are used to keep such institutions, as well as all sorts of grants.

A bit of history

It is interesting that the first "documented" nature reserve appeared even before our era, in Sri Lanka. And the prophet Muhammad, protecting any form of life, declared green areas as reserves (for example, in Medina - an area of up to 20 square kilometers). During the Middle Ages in European countries, kings and noblemen cared for their hunting grounds. For this purpose, specially designated areas where hunting was prohibited. Violations of the prohibition severely punished. All these measures were aimed at the reproduction of game (with a note for further successful hunting), so that these areas of the reserves can only be called conditionals.

In Russia and in Russia

One of the first evidence relates us to the era of Vladimir Monomakh. In Ancient Rus, the reserves are "zoos", where the princes "made lions" on all kinds of animals that live in thickets and ravines (for example, the natural boundary of the Sokoliy Rig). The land was protected and protected in every possible way from the encroachments of commoners. Violations of the regime were punished with all severity! At the same time, in the eleventh century, the very notion of "reserve" arises, documented in the "Russian Truth".

Throughout the territory of Siberia, every resident of the people there for centuries existed territories where all hunting for the beast and the bird was forbidden. Holy places, sacred groves arose as a practical manifestation of the cult of Nature-Mother, quite common among the inhabitants of the North. Immunity was strictly observed, whoever encroached on the integrity of the environment, was subjected to ritual punishment and even expulsion from the tribe! In fact, these were the first wildlife sanctuaries.

Reserves - this is one of the prerogatives of Peter the Great. Most often, the decrees, of course, concerned the preservation of forests, both ship and building materials, an attempt to save them from mismanagement and unsystematic cutting of trees by peasants.

In the 19th century (1888), the "Forest Charter" was promulgated, defining the rules for protecting forests and lands. Then the state reserves began to appear.

After the revolution, the protection of the reserves was also paid close attention. A special decree (1921) was signed, regulating these issues.

Now, as of 2014, there are more than 100 state-protected territories in Russia, including the well-known nature reserves and reserves: Baikal, Sakhalin, Altai, Bryansk Forest and many others.