A security zone of the Ussuriysky Nature Reserve will be created along its entire perimeter

The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources has prepared a draft order that establishes a protective zone for the Ussuriysky Nature Reserve along its entire perimeter. Previously, it was defined only around site No. 1 “Komarovskoye forestry”.

“The creation of a new protective zone will lead to the natural restoration of the ecosystems of south-west Primorye and an increase in the number of animals, including species listed in the Red Book. In the event of natural dispersal or reintroduction of the Far Eastern leopard, improving the quality of habitats will help consolidate this species in this territory,” the department reported on its website.

Protected zones (minimum width – one kilometer) are created outside the protected areas in order to reduce the anthropogenic impact on protected ecosystems.

The protection zone for the Ussuriysky Nature Reserve is established on the territory of the Mikhailovsky, Anuchinsky and Shkotovsky districts of the Primorsky Territory.

Currently, the area of the protected zone is 71.5 thousand hectares, now it will increase by 6.1 thousand hectares

“We note that residents will be able to freely visit the security zone. For them, collecting wild plants is not limited. Within the boundaries of populated areas, as well as on plots issued under the Far Eastern Hectare program, the construction of capital facilities is permitted,” the Ministry of Natural Resources noted.