Kalevala National Park is the first of the Russian national parks (NPs) created in the 21st century. It was formed in North Karelia on the basis of the Kostomuksha reserve in 2007 with the aim of preserving virgin north-taiga forests and their ecosystems, as well as for conducting scientific and environmental education programs.
Administrative activities
NP was created to preserve the authentic ecosystems of the North, the last in Europe of large massifs of indigenous coniferous forests. The main task outlined in the Regulation on the Kalevala National Park is the organization of sustainable nature management on its territory for cultural, scientific, educational, environmental purposes and for the organization of regulated tourism.
NP administration carries out a wide range of works. First of all, they include the protection of natural and cultural complexes from the actions of poachers, visiting the territory without permission, illegal economic activity. Close ties have been established with border guards responsible for control at the Russian-Finnish border. State security inspectors regularly conduct raids on the territory of the national park, monitor fishing rules and conduct outreach with the population in order to prevent violations.
Environmental and tourism issues are managed by the Department of Environmental Education. His goal is to teach people to live in harmony with nature, to instill in park visitors a responsible attitude to their actions in nature. The administration is working together with schools, institutions of further education, libraries, print media.
The most important area is also research activities. NP "Kalevalsky" cooperates with Petrozavodsk State University, the Karelian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute of SevNIIRKh and other research organizations. Employees conduct monitoring studies of various components of nature, conduct specialized topics on the study of individual objects of the living world, and examine the territory in order to identify cultural monuments.
Historical reference
By order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated November 30, 2006, No. 1654-r, the proposal of the republican government of Karelia and the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation (agreed with the interested federal executive bodies) to establish the Kalevala National Park under the area of 74,400 hectares within the boundaries of the municipality of Kostomuksha was adopted , including the lands of the forest fund and other users.
The adoption of a full set of decisions agreed with all bodies took place on July 3, 2007. This date is the birthday of the national park. Thus, NP "Kalevala" became the first protected object of its kind in the new millennium. The last of those created in the 20th century was NP Alkhanay, which was established in May 1999 in Buryatia.
Borders
The Kalevala National Park was originally formed on the lands of the Kalevala Forestry and consisted of the following quarters:
- No. 176-184 of Voynitsky forestry;
- No. 1-10, No. 15-28, No. 38-51, No. 71-84, No. 100-112, No. 129-140, No. 163-176, partially blocks No. 178-179 of the Voknavoloksky forestry.
Later it was decided to include territories of exceptional beauty around the lakes Kenas, Marya-Sheleka, Sudnozero along with the ancient settlements of the Karelians, as well as the Käunas waterfall. Thus, the districts of Voknavolokskoye lesnichestvo No. 52-57, No. 85-90, No. 113-120, as well as a small area around Lake Pirtojarvi in Ladvozersky forestry, were added to the Kalevala National Park. The total area of the NP amounted to 744 km 2 .
Flora
Within the park, scientists identified 429 plant species representing 72 families and 180 genera. 83% of them are native vegetation. Flora is more than typical for north taiga conditions. Entered in the Red Book of Russia are:
- Traunshteiner's palm root;
- Dortman lobelia;
- the midwives are the thinnest and the lake;
- sedge bluish.
About 60% of the territory is covered by pine forests, another 8% - spruce forests. Under wetlands, 19% of the park is occupied.
Landscape
A significant part of the Kalevala National Park is occupied by the water surface of the Lake-river system of the Ship and numerous independent lakes of a smaller area. In total, there are about 400 lakes, 250 streams and rivers within the boundaries of the territory. The observed diversity of biotopes is largely due to landscape features and geological characteristics of the area.
The landscape of the territory as a whole is quite complex, including the alternation of elevations and lowering of the relief. Rises are mostly afforested areas, sometimes with rocky outcrops. Lows in most cases are wetlands. A significant part of the NP is covered by formed coniferous, mainly pine, forests.
Mammals
Vast areas of pristine taiga forests have been preserved in the Kalevala National Park along the Russian border with Finland. Moreover, the biotopic composition of the territory represents favorable habitats for 37 species of mammals:
- Representatives of the order Predatory - 13 species.
- Rodents - 13.
- Insectivores - 7.
- Artiodactyls - 2.
- Hare-like - 1.
- Bats - 1.
For the subzone, animals are typical: brown bear, wolverine, pine marten, squirrel, reindeer.
Fish
In the system of water bodies of Kuito 20 species of fish live, 12 of them are valuable. This is first of all:
- European vendace;
- roach;
- perch;
- whitefish;
- pike.
Also noted are lake salmon and pale.
Birds
NP conditions are optimal for nesting of pine forest. Moreover, the abundance of areas with an open water surface and the absence of anxiety on the part of humans are prerequisites for nesting in the area of waterfowl and birds of prey. At the moment, according to observations of recent years, birds of 105 species belonging to 33 families of 13 orders have been observed in the surveyed territory. In the late 1980s, 143 species were recorded in the Kalevala National Park of Russia, 127 of which were nesting species.
Typical representatives are capercaillie, hazel grouse, black grouse, gogol, teal-whistle, wigeon, medium merganser, mallard, pintail, large merganser. The territory of the park is important for the reproduction of owls, black throated loon, gray crane, three-toed woodpecker, kuksha, gray-headed gait, black throated loon, whooper swan, whale, osprey and other rare species.
Reviews
Kalevala National Park is located far from popular tourist routes. All the more valuable is a trip to this virgin world of nature. The park administration regularly holds educational events, inviting fellow scientists, youth, tourism, educational and public associations.
Just look at the photo of the Kalevala National Park to appreciate its harsh, pristine, wild beauty. Visitors, especially young people, are enthusiastic about visiting the conservation area and share their impressions on social networks. However, the location directly at the Russian-Finnish border and the protective status of the territory impose certain restrictions. Before visiting the park, it is necessary to contact the administration, get the appropriate permits and consultations.