Ecotourism becomes more and more popular in Russia. It s no wonder. The cultural and environmental heritage of the country is so very rich and various, that Russia can be called one of the most promising countries for the development of the ecotourism. The ecological tours give a possibility to discover the country, which could seem familiar. The monuments of nature are available in almost each region of Russia, from Kaliningrad to the Far East.
CURONIAN SPIT
The Kaliningrad Region, the westernmost region of Russia is famous with the Curonian Spit. To be fair, one part of this object belongs to Russia and another one – to Lithuania. Curonian Spit is the smallest national park in Russia and one of the oldest nature reserves in the country. It is a sandy peninsula, 98 km length and 35 m – 3, 8 km width. It isolates the freshwater Couronian lagoon from the Baltic Sea. The Curonian Spit is the longest sand tombolo in the world.
CENTRAL FOREST NATURE BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Central Forest Nature Biosphere Reserve is situated in the Tver Region, which is situated next to Moscow and St. Petersburg. The reserve is famous with the unique spruce forest; it is half a thousand years old.
The forests like this didn’t preserve in Europe. Very attractive objects of the reserve are the raised bogs. Their flora is extremely beautiful, especially the mosses of 15 species, turning the bogs into Persian carpet. The wild rosemary with intoxicating notes in its smell in May, dwarf birch and big variety of berries are usual for their ecosystem. In the centre of one of the bogs a special cabin is built for observing the birds in the spring. Among the birds are capercailzies, white grouses and pied geese. Moreover, there is the Experimental nursery of European mink is situated in the resort, organized for saving Middle Russian subspecies of the European mink as threatened species, and reintroduction within its natural habitat.
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THE NATIONAL PARK “PRIELBRUSYE”
The National Park “Prielbrusye” (“The Elbrus Region”) in Kabaldino-Balkaria, is located deep in the Baksanskaya Valley, at the foot of the highest peak of Europe - the two-headed Elbrus. This is a mountainous region of Russia, a real paradise for ski fans or adventurers. The mountains are beautiful at any time of year. The territory of the park has 23 recreational facilities.
LAKE BAIKAL
Lake Baikal is a place on the Earth which doesn't need a special introduction. A huge lake with crystal water and unbelievable beautiful sights draws tourist's attention all the year round. Lake Baikal has two national parks: Baikal National Park and Transbaikal National Park, three reserves and several wildlife sanctuaries.
FAR EASTERN STATE MARINE
The Far East offers a big variety of attractions to the tourists. The Far Eastern State Marine includes the territory of the seaside and 11 islands.
You can find yourself in the taiga, in subtropics, steppe and mountains without leaving the park. The whales can be seen not far from the seaside in this park. The sea fauna includes exotic species like silver pomfret, swordfish, tiger shark, hammerhead shark and famous fatal toxic puffer fish. Among the big sea animals are white-bellied porpoise and seals. Besides the walking excursions, the preserve offers the diving ones, which let to see the sea species. The Ecological Education Centre of the resort provides the hostel for the guests.
SOCHI NATIONAL PARK
Sochi National Park (Krasnodar Territory) is located in the north-western part of the Bigger Caucasus, the park is unique due to the fact that no elsewhere in Russia subtropics and uplands coexist so closely. Multiple excursions organized by the Sochi resorts have made the national park a leader in the number of annual visits. More than one hundred of monuments of history and culture are registered on the park’s territory: from the Old Stone Age to the medieval ages, including ancient settlements, dolmens, and ruins.
KAMCHATKA PENINSULA
One third of the Kamchatka Peninsula is a specialy protected natural area.
KHVALYNSKY NATIONAL PARK
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RESERVE "BASTAK"
Reserve "Bastak" was created in 1996 on the territory of Razdolnenskiy forest in the Jewish Autonomous Region, north from Birobidzhan and up to the border with Autonomous Region of Khabarovsk region of Khabarovsk Territory. The educational nature trail of 30 km motorway "Birobidzhan - Kukan" is equipped for the tourists in the reserve: walking route with the length about a half km, open all year round, except for the May period of activity of ticks. In April and May, phenological excursions are arranged by the ecotrail: you can look at the primroses and migratory birds. Three more routes are developed for hiking with a visit to dendrological park, climbing to the hills and rest on the bank of the river Bastak.
SHUSHENSKY BOR NATIONAL PARK
The Shushensky Bor National Park is located on the territory of the Shushensky Region of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Shushensky Bor is famous for its mountain cedar forests, banded pine forests and lacustrine-boggy complex. In the park 750 species of plants, 270 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 47 species of mammals are protected.
RUSSKY SEVER (RUSSIAN NORTH) NATIONAL PARK
A distinctive feature of Russky Sever National Park is that it was possible to gather the most complete collection of plants and trees on a relatively small area in this region of the Russian Plain, accommodate a huge number of mammals, fish and birds, many of which have long been listed as endangered species not only in the Russian Federation, but also around the world.
This is an incomplete list, many other beautiful places are waiting for fans of ecotourism: Karelia, Sakhalin island, Kuril Islands, Altai, Mountain Shoria.
Choosing the ecological tourism in Russia, you support the protection of environment. The ecological situation in each country and in Russia as well is very important for the whole world: For example, the forests of Karelia are called “the lungs of Europe”. Moreover, it is healthy and informative. The tour operators, offering eco tours in Russia are interested in corresponding with the standards and conception of the ecotourism. The services differ from the long adventure travels to the short excursions.
FIND MORE ABOUT ECOTOURISM IN RUSSIA....
Yulia Buzykina
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