The events of the international program of the Russian Geographical Society "Conservation in Specially Protected Natural Areas of Siberia" were held in the Republic of Khakassia and the Krasnoyarsk Territory as part of the celebration of Geographer's Day. Their participants were specialists in the field of geography, nature conservation, tourism, and related fields from the countries of the new, expanded BRICS: Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, as well as delegates of the Rossotrudnichestvo program "New Generation", who arrived from Belarus, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, and India.
From August 20 to 25, a rich business and cultural program was prepared for foreign specialists. It was dedicated to the study of the unique nature reserves and attractions of the region.
The guests took a sightseeing tour of the city of Abakan, visited the L. R. Kyzlasov Khakass National Museum of Local History, the interactive nature museum "House of the Snow Leopard", the arboretum "Berendey", walked along the ecological trail, and got acquainted with the museum-reserve "Shushenskoye". They also visited the “Oglakhty” part of the Khakassky Nature Reserve on the west coast of the Krasnoyarsk reservoir, saw the interactive exhibition at the visitor center, and appreciated the paleontological excursion route "Short Journey of 400 Million Years." The delegates were shown the ecological and excursion complex of the Khakassky Reserve in the city of Abaza, the “Taezhnaya Gramota” trail, and the Museum of Siberian Crafts. Foreign specialists took part in the "Good Deed for the National Park" campaign, helping the reserve staff to clear the territory of traces of anthropogenic impact.
“The nature reserves that we visited are extraordinary places for science, education, inspiration, knowledge, culture ,and history. It is a real privilege and a unique opportunity to visit here. Anyone lucky enough to be here will certainly appreciate these breathtaking landscapes and the beauty of nature," said the representative of Ethiopia, Yericho Meshesha.
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As part of the cultural program, geographers visited the Sunduki Mountain Range with a rich complex of archaeological sites. Here you can see ancient burial grounds, rock carvings, and structures that helped to observe the stars, the sun and the moon.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who were involved in the preparation of the program and thanks to whom it turned out to be very worthy and memorable. Thank you for introducing us to some of the best landscapes in Russia," said Revati Unnikrishnan from India.
More information about the international program "Conservation in Specially Protected Natural Areas of Siberia" can be found on the page of the Republic of Khakassia Branch of the RGS.