Bashkir mountains Toratau, Kushtau and Yuraktau can become a world heritage

The single mountains (shikhans) Toratau, Kushtau and Yuraktau in Bashkiria are included in the preliminary list of UNESCO and may soon receive the status of a world heritage site, the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources reports on its website.

“In order to be listed, a property must be recognized “as having Outstanding Universal Value.” This means its exclusivity in cultural or natural terms, as well as the fact that its significance goes even beyond national borders, and the object is valuable for all mankind. This is recognized when the object meets one or more of the approved criteria,” the department noted.

There are currently thirty World Heritage Sites in Russia, of which eleven are natural. The first Russian natural site was included in the UNESCO list in 1995 - this is the "Virgin Komi Forests".

“The inclusion of shikhans on the 'tentative list' is the first step towards submitting them for consideration for special UNESCO status. Shikhans will become an outstanding value not only for us, but for the whole world,” said Elina Gataullina, executive director of the Bashkiria Committee for UNESCO, whose words are quoted in the message.

The inclusion of sites in the World Heritage List is not only a way to preserve cultural monuments, but also a good opportunity to promote them and, as a result, a powerful economic incentive, she said.

“The visitation of sites after being included in the UNESCO list doubles, or even triples, contributing to an increase in prestige within the country and at the international level,” said Gataullina.

According to the Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of Russia Alexander Kozlov, in terms of the number of objects included in the World Heritage List, Russia ranks fourth in the world.

“The total area of eleven natural territories is almost 24 million hectares (1.5% of the territory of Russia). Moreover, two of our facilities are cross-border, and we are responsible for their safety, together with Mongolia. These are the "Ubsunur Hollow" and "Landscapes of Dauria". We are fighting poachers on both sides of the border, restoring the populations of argali, snow leopard, Przewalski horses,” he said.

Kozlov stressed that the ministry is working to ensure that the number of world natural heritage sites continues to grow.