(Source: http://posibiri.ru)

The Altai Biosphere Reserve occupies a vast territory in the north-east of the Altai Republic in Turochaksky and Ulagansky districts. Together with the Katun Reserve it forms the so-called “Golden Mountains of Altai” – the natural object included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Mountains and valleys, pristine mountain taiga and mountain tundra, alpine meadows and numerous water reservoirs headed by the Teletskoye Lake, relict “sculptures” and waterfalls, rare animals and birds, landscapes of wonderful beauty - all the natural treasures of Altai are gathered on this specially protected land occupying almost ten percent of the republic’s area.

According to the initial project, the reserve should have been even larger. Following the results of the scientific research expedition in 1929, it was proposed to allocate a huge territory from the Katun River to Tuva, so that the Teletskoye Lake would be at the centre of the reserve. Three years later the idea was implemented, but on a smaller scale – the Altai Reserve protected the land on the right shore of the Teletskoye Lake, in Teletsk taiga. It had existed until 1951 when it was disbanded, alongside with several other “unnecessary” Soviet reserves, then it was restored in 1958 for a short period, few years later again disbanded, and finally revived in 1967.

The western boundary of the reserve goes through the middle of the Teletskoye Lake (all waters of the lake are considered to be protected) and along the Chulyshman River flowing into it. The boundary in the north and north-east is the Abakansky Ridge, in the east – the Shapshalsky Ridge, in the south - the Shikhareva Ridge. The Teletskoye Lake is the landmark of the Altai Reserve. The majority of the tourists go here to see it, the lake and the amazing waterfalls next to it.

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