Altai Territory is the beauty and pride of Russia. Its name comes from the Mongolian word "altyn", which means "golden". Its archaeological sites and reserves have rightfully become one of the best sightseeing routes in Altai. Medicinal plants, mineral springs, healing air - a magnificent natural complex that has no analogues in Russia.
The Katunsky reserve with its diverse flora and fauna has long been an object of close attention. V.P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky at the beginning of the XX century expressed the idea 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 located?
Katunsky Reserve is located in the highest mountain part of the Altai Republic (Ust-Koksinsky District). The continental climate dominates there, which entails heavy rainfall in autumn and spring. Hot arid summers and harsh frosty winters. The entire territory of the reserve is located on the southern slope of the Katun ridge.
In this area, two properties are inscribed on the World Natural Heritage List. This is the Katun Biosphere Reserve itself and Mount Belukha. It is the most beautiful corner of Altai and the highest point in Siberia. The Katun River originates from Belukha Mountain.
The main estate of the reserve, where the museum is located, is located in the village of Ust-Koksa. Log octagonal house is a traditional dwelling of Altai people. Bright exposition of household items, musical instruments, weapons. The Ethnic Museum is an amazingly beautiful sight.
Altai Reserves
The Altai Republic is the keeper of architectural monuments of various eras starting from the Neolithic. On this territory there are places not touched by civilization. The splendor of slopes, glaciers, lakes and waterfalls is stunning in its beauty. Golden root, antlers, mummies and propolis from mountain apiaries - these environmentally friendly products can only be found in the Altai Territory. They have a natural origin and healing properties.
It is believed that the mythical country of Shambhala, surrounded by 9 mountains, is located here. Altai is the ancestral home of all Turkic peoples. Mound burial grounds of ancient settlements can be found throughout the republic. There are religious buildings of Muslims, Buddhists, Old Believers, pagans.
List of nature reserves Altai Territory includes 3 reserves - Tigirek, Altai, Katun. They are specially protected natural areas.
Tigirek Nature Reserve
Located in the south of the Altai Territory. Located on the territory of the Tretyakov, Krasnoshchekovsky, Zmeinogorsky district. In 2012, a documentary was released about the Tigirek Reserve, its work and research activities. Reserves of the Altai Mountains participate in the Chronicle of Nature program. Since 2004, environmental monitoring has been conducted in the Tigirek reserve. It turned out that some species of butterflies exist only in this reserve.
Altai Reserve
Located on the right bank of Lake Teletskoy, the Chulyshman River. This is the north-eastern part of the republic. It occupies the territory of the Ulagan and Turachak region. Includes part of the Teletskoye Lake, known for its cleanliness. State Nature Reserves cannot boast of such biological diversity as the Altai Reserve. He preserves and studies the genetic fund of the animal and plant world on his territory.
Katunsky reserve
Located in the Ust-Koksinsky district. The reservoirs of the reserve belong to one basin. The Katun River completely rules in the Katunsky reserve. Here is the most powerful Siberian glaciation center. The total area of glaciers is just over 900 square meters. m. Biosphere Reserve - untouchable territory, which is designed to maintain the ecological balance. In connection with the development of industry (minerals, logging) and the testing of weapons (biological, chemical, nuclear, hydrogen), some species of the flora and fauna of the world have disappeared. Therefore, biosphere reserves are the standards of Earth's ecosystems. It is they who maintain a fragile ecological balance.
Biosphere reserve - what is it?
In 2000, the Katunsky Reserve received biosphere status. UNESCO united all nature reserves into one worldwide network. These are 564 biosphere national reserves. They are all objects of international importance.
A biosphere reserve is a protected area, on the basis of which there is ongoing research work. The main goal is to preserve the natural look of ecosystems, landscape. Biosphere reserves are created on the basis of natural reserves, parks and meet certain requirements. They have to:
- be the standard of nature of a particular area.
- Have rare species of flora, fauna or a unique ecosystem, complexes on its territory.
- It is a reference point for carrying out work, assessing changes in natural complexes, the biosphere.
- Have an appropriate base for the protection and conduct of research work.
Types of reserves
If a piece of water or land is removed from economic use, flora and fauna are fully preserved there. Such a territory becomes a reserve. Reserves are undergoing research. State nature reserves are an ecological, cultural heritage and have a strict system of protection.
There are many types of reserves. All of them are divided into natural and artificially created objects. The main objectives of the reserve are the conservation of ecosystems, natural complexes in the most natural form, their study.
Artificial objects are:
- Zoological gardens.
- Dendrological parks.
- Botanical Gardens.
- Monuments of landscape gardening art.
Natural objects are:
- Biosphere reserves.
- National Natural Parks.
- Reserves.
- Nature reserves.
- Landscape parks.
- Monuments of nature.
- Protected areas.
Rules of conduct in the reserve
Katunsky reserve - a protected reserve. Around its untouchable ecological core is a buffer zone and a cooperation zone. Only there, excursions and tourist routes are possible. Only there is a territory allocated for travel and scientific work of people. The essence of the reserve’s core is the preservation of the environmentally friendly biosphere. There are certain rules for visiting a world-class reserve. Such as the Katunsky reserve.
- All routes are laid along a specific trail. You should not go with her. All parking and overnight stays are in strictly designated places.
- To make fires only in the places provided by the parking.
- It is forbidden to cut trees, shrubs. Use dead wood for making campfires, setting up tents.
- All garbage is burned in bonfires. Metal objects, having previously been calcined over a fire, should be left in specially designated places.
- It is forbidden to pick branches and flowers, to hunt, to fish.
- Do not create a strong sound background, do not make noise on the territory.
- For photo and video shooting, permission from the reserve administration is required.
- Road transport, water transport is carried out by passes. They are issued by the administration in the village of Ust-Koks, in the central estate.
History of creation
Katunsky reserve was created on June 25, 1991. At first, it had the status of a state nature reserve with an area of 151 664 ha. And only in January 2000 received the status of a biosphere reserve.
Altai Territory is famous for its many cultures, peoples, religions concentrated on its territory. In the Ust-Koksinsky district there are unique archaeological sites. These are cave paintings, "stone women", mounds of the Pazyryk and Hun-Sarmatian eras. In the area there is a museum dedicated 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 pass through the places of residence, the work of the philosopher. Including the territory of the reserve.
Flora and fauna
On the territory of the Katunsky reserve there are animals, 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 healing. Types of plants: steppe peony and Altai rhubarb, Siberian barberry and small pear; raspberries, honeysuckle, sedge Kirilov; larch, birch, mountain ash, spruce; willows, alpine meadows, shrubs from Kuril tea; dwarf and Altai onions, feathery feathers, Rhodiola rosea, Siberian kandyk.
Fauna. Forest animals - elk, musk deer, white hare, red deer. Fur - squirrel, sable, chipmunk. Predators - bear, wolverine, weasel, ermine, lynx, American mink, snow leopard. The Siberian mountain goat lives in the highlands. Birds - mountain hollow, capercaillie, snipe, ptarmigan and ptarmigan, eagle owl, black stork, Altai ular, saker, peregrine falcon. Fish - grayling, Siberian gudgeon, common burbot, char, char. Snakes - steppe and adder, patterned snake, copperhead. Lizards, green toad, witty frog.
Tourist routes
Excursion tourist tours are designed for different types of recreation. For the family itinerary, simpler paths are prepared that are not difficult. Extreme tours are designed for outdoor activities, pass through alpine lakes, slopes.
During the tour it is allowed to take pictures, video animals, nature. The tour includes horse riding, overnight with a bath, traditional cuisine. In the autumn period fishing is possible on taimen, grayling. The Katunsky Biosphere Reserve has several alpine apiaries. There you can try mead and honey, get acquainted with the work of beekeepers.
"The Kingdom of the Blue Lakes." The tourist route lasts 12 days. For lovers of outdoor activities and hiking, excursions are planned to conquer the snow pass. A tour of the high spurs of the Katunsky ridge to the cascade of Multinsky lakes.
"Belovodye." The tourist route lasts 6 days. Visiting waterfalls, Multinsky lakes. This is a journey for the whole family.
"Multinsky ring". The tourist route lasts 8 days. The tour includes visits to mountain waterfalls, lakes. Visit to the Museum of Old Believers and the Museum of N.K. Roerich in the village of Verkhny Uimon. Travel for the whole family.
"Christmas in the kingdom of snows." The tourist route lasts 5 days. Excursion to the foot of the Katun ridge. This is a winter snowmobile tour with a visit to the high mountain lakes.