BIOSPHERE RESERVE National park «Smolensk Lakeland »
Virtual videoconference of Wetland Link International, Russia - Programme
2011, December, 1-st Smolensk Lakeland” is situated in the northwest of Smolensk Oblast on the territory of Demidov and Dukhovschina administrative districts (Rayons). All its parts are between 55 °°°21’-55 °°°46’ north latitude and 31 °°°29’-32 °°°“18’ east longitude. It is located in the basin of the Western Dvina “Smolensk Lakeland ” River. Numerous picturesque lakes (35) gave the BR its name.
Biosphere Reserves in Russia : national parks (green colour) and reserves (orange colour) Biosphere Reserve “Smolensk Lakeland”
Biosphere Reserve “Smolensk Lakeland” was established as a National Park according to the Decree of the Russian Federation Government on the 15.04.1992 “to preserve natural complexes for recreational, educational, scientific and cultural purposes”. In 2002, this area was included into the World Network of Biosphere Reserves within the framework of UNESCO “Man and Biosphere” Program (MAB). Biosphere Reserve is a member of the European Association of National and Nature Parks (EUROPARK). In 1999 it was included in the List of Important Bird Areas of International Importance (number SM-003 RU069). Lopatinskiy mokh
Pelyshev mokh
Vervizhskiy mokh In the frame of “Smolensk Lakeland” the are some large and unique peat- bogs: Lopatinskiy, Pelyshev and Vervizhskiy mokhs, where during Holocene turf filled lakes caverns, forming thick beds. Two of them – Vervizhskiy and Pelyshev mokhs are in the top 10 of the largest ones of Smolenskaya Oblast. And Vervizhskiy mokh, thanks to its location, is one of the largest peat-bogs saving its natural “untouched” state and studied insufficiently yet. Scientific Researches: -monitoring for anthropogenic influence on the protected nature complexes and neighboring territories; --inventory of BR’s biodiversity; --studying, conservation and use the historical and cultural heritage The biodiversity wealth consists of more than 950 species of vascular plants (10 - Red Data Book of the Russian Federation, 65 - Red Data Book of Smolensk Region); 54 species of mammals (6 - Red Data Book of the Smolensk Region); 232 species of birds (18 - Red Data Book of the Russian Federation, 26 - Red Data Book of Smolensk Region); 37 species of fish (3 - Red Data Book of the Russian Federation); 10 species of amphibians and 5 species of reptiles. WE CAN SHARE THESE EXPERIENCES! The BR elaborates and realizes a lot of educational programmes for children and students, festivals, ecological camps and different seminars and workshops for local teachers, librarians etc. Sustainable tourism, based on the Strategy of the BR, let involve not only great number of visitors (more than 200000 per summer every year), but partnership with business (Smoloblgaz, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International and others), grants and funds (WWF, Nation’s Health League) and realize such projects as: local hospital repairing, involving a new heating system technology, building a big trade-center in the open air for different local festivals and events to held; building the Center of local traditional handicrafts (to save live local culture, pass traditions from old local people to youth).
Cooperation with UNESCO MAB Secretariat, Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO and Russian MAB Committee helps to enter a new high level – vision of Trans-European transect for ecological monitoring of environment through Belarus – Poland – France and sustainable transboundary development of the territory, including tourism. Workshop «««Sustainable «Sustainable development of wetlands ecosystems in the transboundary conditionsconditions»»»»,, Smolensk (Russia), Vitebsk (Belarus), 2011. WHAT WE ARE WAITING FOR FROM WLI: -to be involved into WLI programmes; -to have helping hand in the creation of the Wetlands Center of Regional significance; -to share good experiences of natural areas of special protection in the field of sustainable wetlands development (studying, protection and use) Thank you for attention!