Barguzinsky nature reserve is the oldest protected area in Russia. The reserve was opened with a specific goal - to support and significantly increase the number of sable, which at that time (1917) there were only about 30 individuals left in Transbaikalia. Over the years of work, the staff of the reserve managed not only to preserve the sable family, but also to increase the number of animals to one individual (and in some places up to two) per 1 square meter.
Secrets of the Barguzinsky Reserve
The reserve is located in Buryatia, between Lake Baikal and the slopes of the Barguzinsky Range. It is not without reason that it bears the name of the Trans-Baikal Pearl: the unique natural beauty and the wildlife rich in species distinguish it from a number of other reserved places in Russia. 69 years after its inception, the reserve received the status of a biosphere reserve. On the territory of the protected zone, scientific research is carried out aimed at preserving the genetic fund and environmental monitoring. I must say that in the world todaya unified biosphere network has been created, covering 300 reserves. In Russia, the status of the biosphere was assigned to 17 places. The Barguzinsky Reserve also has its own complex background monitoring station, of which there are only six in the Russian Federation.
A little about the protected area
So what kind of place is this - the Barguzinsky Reserve? A brief description might look like this. This is a fairly large area of 374,322 hectares, of which 15,000 is occupied by the waters of Lake Baikal.
19 rivers flow in the reserve, the most famous of which is Shumilikha. Its length is only 12 kilometers, but the mouth with sand dunes, larches and squat cedars, as well as a stepped channel that resembles one large horizontal waterfall, helped the river become famous. In addition, Shumilikha has its own lakes. Only four picturesque lakes with crystal clear water, surrounded by moss-covered waves. Other reservoirs of the Barguzinsky Reserve are also known: Karasevoe and Elk. The bays, of which there are 5 on the territory, differ from each other by their unique beauty.
Local Attractions
Sights of the Barguzinsky Reserve are numerous. For example, Davshinsky Bay passes along animal trails, or rather along the path of bears.
Walking along it, you can see the traces of these dangerous animals: claw prints on the trunks, the ground, pieces of wool. The bay itself impresses with its picturesqueness: here, togetherTwo opposite worlds have come together. On the one hand, there is a dense, almost impenetrable forest, on the other, an endless expanse of water spreading in the sun. Also in great demand among visitors is the thermal spring, which is located at the mouth of the Davsha River. The water temperature here reaches 43 degrees, and there are many rumors about its medicinal properties. Even the trees growing near the springs reach truly gigantic sizes. Barguzinsky nature reserve hides many beautiful places. A brief description of all the attractions can take far from one page.
Barguzin capes
It is worth talking about capes, which are also rich in Barguzin land. One of the most famous is Cape Valukan, which cuts like an arrow into the waters of Lake Baikal. The whole cape is indented with small bays, each keeps its secrets and charms. Only 6 capes are kept by the Barguzinsky Reserve. The description of each of them will be similar - steep, approaching the lake in the form of a ledge. But everyone has their own name (name): Valukan and Boar, Pogoni and Urbican, Nemnanda and Black.
They look especially beautiful, shrouded in fog, which constantly arises due to the low temperature of lake waters. Clouds of mist rise in the summer after each rain, wrapping the peaks of the Barguzinsky Reserve uplifting to the sky like a feather bed. This is where the climate comes in. The hottest month is August, the coldest month is February. Spring is much colder than autumn, and in June, unmelted ice floes can be found on the northern side of Lake Baikal.
Inhabitants of the reserve
Barguzinsky nature reserve can boast of rich wildlife. There are a variety of animals here: marmots and shrews, bears and white hares, elk and musk deer, foxes, wolves, s altwort - more than 41 species. We must not forget about the main inhabitant of the reserve, in whose honor it was founded - the Barguzin sable, which is valued for its very beautiful dark fur.
The rivers and lakes of the reserve are rich in fish (fishing is strictly prohibited in part of the water area): grayling, omul, whitefish, sturgeon, taimen, lenok and many other species. The forest generously feeds its inhabitants. In the river valleys, on the terraces, cedar forests stretch, among which lingonberries are buried in soft moss. Among the white and red carpets of wild rosemary, blueberry lands are scattered like stars. It is especially beautiful in the reserve in autumn: different types of coniferous forests form one continuous multi-colored taiga sea.
