Reserves are state-protected areas of pristine nature

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

Reserved places: forests, rivers and mountains - these words must have been heard by each of us. Reserves are such areas of land or water where nature (plants, animals, environment) is preserved in its original form, untouched by man. About how they differ from national parks, and what they are, read in this article.

What is a nature reserve: definition

In explanatory dictionaries, the term "reserve" is defined as a part of the land or water, on which rare animals, plants, elements of inanimate nature, cultural and architectural monuments are protected and preserved intact. The natural complex of this site is forever withdrawn from any use related to economic activity, and is completely under state protection. It is prohibited to violate the integrity and microclimate of natural resources recorded at the time of the creation of the territory. Only research activities that do not harm the lands are allowed.

Scientific organizations

Reserves are also institutions of a research nature, to which the above territories are assigned. They analyze the state of natural resources, monitor the migration and lifestyle of animals, and in every possible way contribute to the expansion of their populations. Any commercial activity is prohibited here, and budget money, as well as all kinds of grants, are used to maintain such institutions.

A bit of history

Interestingly, the first "documented" nature reserve appeared before our era, in Sri Lanka. And the prophet Mohammed, defending any form of life, declared green areas as nature reserves (for example, in Medina - up to 20 square kilometers). During the Middle Ages in European countries, kings and noblemen took care of their hunting grounds. For this purpose, areas were specially allocated where it was forbidden to hunt. Violations of the ban were severely punished. All these measures were aimed at the reproduction of game (with a blueprint for further successful hunting), so these plots of land can only be called nature reserves.

In Russia and in Russia

One of the first evidence refers us to the reign of Vladimir Monomakh. In Ancient Russia, reserves are “menageries”, where the princes “fished” for all kinds of animals living in thickets and ravines (for example, the Sokoliy Rog tract). The lands were guarded and protected in every possible way from the encroachments of commoners. Violations of the regime were punished from all overseverity! Then, in the eleventh century, the very concept of a “reserve” appeared, documented in Russkaya Pravda.

Throughout Siberia, every ethnic group living there from time immemorial had territories where any hunting for animals and birds was prohibited. Holy places, sacred groves arose as a practical manifestation of the cult of Mother Nature, quite common among the inhabitants of the North. Immunity was strictly observed, those who encroached on the integrity of the environment were subjected to ritual punishments and even expulsion from the tribe! In fact, these were the first sanctuaries.

Reserves are one of the prerogatives of Peter the Great. Most often, the decrees, of course, concerned the preservation of forests as ship and building raw materials, an attempt to protect them from mismanagement and unsystematic cutting down of trees by peasants.

In the 19th century (1888), the "Forest Charter" was promulgated, defining the rules for protecting forests and lands. At the same time, state reserves began to appear.

After the revolution, close attention was also paid to the protection of nature reserves. A special decree was signed (1921) regulating these issues.

Now, as of 2014, there are more than a hundred state-protected territories in Russia, including famous nature reserves and reserves: Baikal, Sakhalin, Altai, Bryansk Forest and many others.