Great Volzhsko-Kamsky

Great Volzhsko-Kamsky Biosphere Reserve consists of four units - Raifa Forest, Sarali Land between Rivers, Spassky Insular Archipelago and Sviyazhsky Wetland Area. Each unit has core area, buffer zone and transition area. All units are located in close vicinity to rivers Volga and Kama.

The territory of the Biosphere Reserve is distinguished for its high biodiversity. The diversity of various biotopes, good feeding and protective conditions are the reasons of high productivity of plant and animal populations. 900 species of higher plants, 58 species of mammals, 114 species of nesting birds, 13 species of amphibians and reptiles, 49 species of fish and around 2800 species of invertebrates were registered on the territory of the Biosphere Reserve units. Among them there are 80 vertebrate species, 30 plant species, 7 mushroom species which are endangered for the region; 3 plant species, 2 mushroom species, 9 vertebrate and invertebrate species are listed in the Red Data Book of Russian Federation.

The territory of Biosphere Reserve units is the mixture of areas, used by “wild nature”, agrocoenoses, intensive forestry, recreation, traditional forms of nature management, meaning that this is the suitable polygon to work out the model of complex nature management. The availability of high professionals and developed infrastructure gives the good perspectives for the realization of approaches for the sustainable development of the region.

People of many nationalities live on the territory of the Biosphere Reserve. Majority of them are Russians and Tatars. Mari, Chuvash, Bashkirs are also present. There are two main religious groups – Christians and Moslems. Read more about this reserve on the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves website.