Kronotsky Reserve
On the territory of the Kronotsky Reserve there are a lot of natural sights, which can't be found anywhere else in Kamchatka, and maybe in the whole world.
Natural reserves
Kamchatka's unique and stunningly beautiful nature should be preserved for as long as possible. In order to protect it, natural parks, reserves and sanctuaries have been created in the region.
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Articles about Kamchatka
Лучшие места Камчатки
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Natural reserves of Kamchatka
The need to protect the natural wealth of Kamchatka became evident as early as in the middle of the twentieth century, when active human interference began to affect the landscapes and the general ecological situation of the peninsula. In the 90s of the twentieth century, Kamchatka's natural parks were organised with the aim of preserving the natural integrity of the ecosystem. Nalychevo, Bystrinsky and Yuzhno-Kamchatsky were the first to be established, then Kliuchevsky was added to their number. UNESCO awarded these protected areas the status of ‘World Natural Heritage’, uniting them in the nomination ‘Volcanoes of Kamchatka’. Now there are five natural parks, three nature reserves and several zakazniks in Kamchatka, forming a unified nature protection system.
Nalychevo
The territory covers an area of 287,155 hectares. It is located in the Nalycheva River basin and includes several mountains, volcanoes and numerous mineral springs, both cold and hot. The mountain ranges surrounding the river valley have created here a microclimate peculiar to a special ecosystem that includes a variety of flora and fauna forms.
The park's flora consists of a large number of species, among which the stone birch, which forms its basis, stands out. Rare and endangered plants, such as the Venus slipper, which is listed in the Red Book of Russia, have a chance to be preserved here, as they are under care. The animal world is also diverse, among large mammals the brown bear and the snow sheep are of particular interest. More than 90 species of birds nest in Nalychevo. Among them there are such rare birds as Steller's and white-tailed eagle, peregrine falcon, Pacific goose.
Since this natural park is located not far from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (25 km to the north), many city dwellers like to go here for recreation. However, the main part of the protected area is not arranged for visits, transport communications have not been laid, so the tranquility of its inhabitants is still ensured. You can visit the natural object by permission of the management. Hunting (excluding snow sheep, rare black-necked marmot and Eurasian gopher) and fishing in designated areas are also allowed under licence.
The Avacha Pass attracts the greatest interest of visitors. Tourist companies have built beautiful routes there, allowing you to admire waterfalls, lakes, thermal springs and volcanoes.
Bystrinsky
It is the largest in the region. Its area is 1,325,000 hectares. It is located in the central part of the peninsula and includes the basins of the Bystraya, Anavgai, Icha and Tigil rivers. This park combines all natural zones of the central part of the peninsula, from deciduous forests to mountain tundra. It is here that more than a hundred volcanoes are concentrated and more than 400 lakes are located. This region of Kamchatka has the largest concentration of coniferous forests. In recent years, their area has been greatly reduced, so protection is simply necessary, otherwise there is a threat of losing these beautiful forests, which are an important part of the natural organism of the peninsula.
The lands also include the Ichinsky reserve. Its dominant feature is the volcano of the same name. There are also mineral springs flowing from the depths of the earth. The entire ecosystem within the territory of the natural park is in a state of constant adaptation to the changes associated with human activity. There are several small hydroelectric power stations on the Bystraya River, the operation of which significantly affects the nature. Initially, the territory of Bystrinskoye also included large deposits - gold-ore Aginskoye and copper-nickel Shanuch. They had to be removed from the protection zone, thus reducing the park's territory. So far, it has not been possible to solve the problem of harmonious combination of nature and the need for its development by other, more effective, means.
The fauna and flora of the territory is very rich. There are also commercial species, especially furbearers, as well as ducks, geese, swans. Some species of birds are allowed to be hunted. Only the wildlife preserve is an exception for hunting.
The Avacha Pass attracts the greatest interest of visitors. Tourist companies have built beautiful routes there, allowing you to admire waterfalls, lakes, thermal springs and volcanoes.
South Kamchatka
This natural park is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean and is characterised by numerous small bays. It covers an area of 486,900 hectares. It is a mountainous area with glaciers, which have a strong influence on the surrounding nature, as all the flora and fauna living in the area depend on their descent and melting. There are many hot springs in the park, among which the Khodutkinskiye springs stand out.
There is still only one cordon near the tourist trail leading to Mutnovsky volcano. In general, the territory has few places accessible to the public, which can certainly be regarded as a positive phenomenon in terms of preserving the territory from human influence.
Kliuchevskoi
This park was created to preserve the unique volcanic nature of Kamchatka and occupies 375,981 hectares in its eastern part. Its territory includes volcanoes, including the largest - Kliuchevskaya Sopka; glaciers, including the largest ones - Erman and Bogdanovich; plateaus and plains. The peaks are difficult to access, it is difficult for ordinary tourists to climb them, and only mountaineers can try to conquer them. Visits are possible after obtaining a permit, excursion tours are exclusively group tours.
People come here to admire the beauty of the mountain landscape and truly cosmic views of frozen lava and ash. The world of Kliuchevskoe Park is full of life. Bears and moose feel themselves masters of these places. In addition to these large animals, there are many other representatives of fauna. After obtaining a licence, you can hunt for commercial species.
A special feature of the Kliuchevskiy Park are the natural wonders, of which there are exactly seven. These are the Sheep Rocks, the Ambon Stone, the Gorge of Statues, the Stone Shelves, the Glade of Edelweisses, and the Dead Forest. All these places are associated with volcanic activity and attract not only tourists, but also, first of all, scientists.
All four natural objects are clusters of the UNESCO-protected park ‘Volcanoes of Kamchatka’. But in addition to them there is a park of local importance - ‘Blue Lakes’. Its area is only 4,702 hectares. It is a landscape area located on the Bystrinsky Ridge. There are very beautiful high-altitude lakes, alpine meadows, tundra. The lakes are located at an altitude of 600 metres above sea level and have no fish. It is one of the most popular recreation places due to its aesthetic appeal and not far from the regional centre.
In addition to natural parks, the purpose of which is to maximise the preservation of pristine nature and normal functioning of the ecosystem, Kamchatka also has reserves. Unlike parks, no hunting is allowed in the protected areas. There are unique natural monuments here, many of which may be destroyed and disappear.
The largest reserve in Kamchatka is the Kronotsky Reserve. It is here that the famous Valley of Geysers, which is a special natural organism, is located. It also preserves larch forests and spruce forests, the population of which is steadily decreasing on the peninsula.
Another - Koryaksky - reserve is located in the north of Kamchatka. The subarctic climate prevails here. A huge number of birds nest in the local waters and swamps, and animals such as brown bear, sables and foxes live in the forest tundra. Very interesting are the hydrogen sulphide springs of Goven, which keep the temperature at +37ºС. The reserve was created to protect bird nesting sites and rookeries of marine mammals.
The Commander Islands and the Aleutian region are home to the Commander Reserve. It is here that you can see the famous Steller's Arch, a beautiful natural monument. The reserve is home to plants and animals that are found nowhere else. Vitus Bering and members of his crew found their resting place on these islands.
In addition to nature reserves, it is also worth mentioning the South Kamchatka sanctuaries - the South Kamchatka sanctuary, famous for its bears, and the Oleniy Dol, specially created on the southern side of the peninsula for wild deer to survive the winter.
The main problem associated with protected areas is that their existence must somehow be coordinated with the needs of Kamchatka's economic development. After all, if almost half of the territory turns out to be in an area prohibited for economic use, it has a negative impact on the economy. But the nature of Kamchatka is so unique that to lose it due to industrial use would mean the loss of the very identity of the peninsula and the adjacent water areas.
Scientists are trying to solve this problem by proposing to revise the territorial division of protection zones, narrowing their boundaries to the limits of the range of protected species and natural monuments. But it is obvious that Kamchatka's natural parks must exist.
