In the northern part of Buryatia, on the eastern coast of Lake Baikal, there is the famous Barguzin Nature Reserve.
The creation of this reserve has become a landmark event. Since it became the first environmental object of this type in the Russian Empire. It was the day of the signing of the decree on its creation, January 11, 1917, since 1997 that became a holiday for all nature reserves and national nature protection complexes on the territory of the Russian Federation.
The history of the creation of the first reserve in Russia is directly related to the status of the Empire as the first fur-bearing world power. At the end of the XIX, the beginning of the XX century, one of the main export objects of the country was precisely furs. Arctic fox and sable skins, whose native habitat is the central part of Siberia, were sold to Europe and the New World at fabulous prices. In this regard, hunting took on unprecedented proportions, and the number of valuable animal breeds steadily declined. Since the middle of the XIX century, the crisis of reproduction of the most valuable sable breed - the dark sable-Barguzin began, which eventually led to its almost complete disappearance.
Having studied the situation with the decline of the fur trade, Emperor Nicholas II ordered to allocate the lands of the traditional habitat of the sable and ensure its protection and reproduction of its population. As a result, in the western part of the Barguzin Ridge, facing the shore of Lake Baikal, a protected area of 200,000 hectares was allocated. To which the experienced state hunting grounds adjoined. After 10 years of the reserve's existence, the sable population from 20 units, for the entire area at the time of its opening, recovered to 3 individuals per 1 sq. km. And in the neighboring fishing area, a method of regulated fur fishing was being developed.
Thanks to the gigantic work done, the sable population was restored, and moreover, this valuable breed was distributed to various nurseries throughout Siberia. In addition, thanks to the activities of the reserve, populations of such rare species as elk, musk deer, brown bear, brown tooth and black-capped marmot have been preserved in the vast territories of central Siberia.
Today, the Barguzin Nature Reserve has more than 370000 hectares of territory and is under the international protection of UNESCO, as one of the objects that ensure the preservation of the natural fund of the planet.
The management of the reserve is carried out from the city of Nizhneangarsk, and the management of scientific work is carried out in Ulan-Ude. The most convenient route to visit the reserve is boat tours of Lake Baikal. But there are many equestrian and hiking trails.
During a visit to the Barguzin Nature Reserve, tourists get acquainted not only with the unique nature of Siberia and Transbaikalia. In the former administrative center of the protected areas, the village of Davsha, there is a museum dedicated to the history of creation, labor exploits and the history of environmental protection in this National Park. Explore Trustly Casinos in the UK and enjoy secure and convenient transactions using this popular payment method, allowing you to deposit and withdraw funds easily.