The official website of the government of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug announced the creation of a new nature reserve with an area of 10,000 hectares at the mouth of the Tiutei-Yakha River. The protected status of this territory will allow limiting economic activities near the rookery and protecting Atlantic walruses.
In the coming years, a wide scientific study of this rookery is planned. It was first discovered in October 2019. Then more than a thousand individuals sailed to the northwestern shore of Yamal. Since then, the number of walruses in this rookery has been growing every year. In October last year, the maximum number of individuals that came ashore at a time was recorded - 4133.
Walruses come to these places in the second half of summer and stay until the ice forms. Among them there are many females with cubs of different ages, which is not typical for Atlantic walruses.
"The place of the future nature reserve of regional significance is also interesting because at the mouth of the Tiutei-Yakha River there are cultural heritage sites: the archaeological sites "Settlement Tiutei-Sale 1", "Settlement Tiutei-Sale 2" and "Settlement Tiutei-Sale 3", and It is also a sacred place for the Yamal Nenets. The very name Tiutei-Yakha is translated from Nenets as a walrus river.
Now it is forbidden to explore and extract minerals on the territory of the reserve. In addition, the entry and parking of vehicles is limited, and the access of citizens is possible only with passes.
Participants discussed the boundary between nature and ecotourism, whether mass visits to unique areas can remain safe, the responsibilities of investors, and how to prepare tourists for visiting specially protected natural areas.
The head of state expressed confidence that the Forum will be held at a high level, and that its results will contribute to the development of tourism in Russia and the expansion of humanitarian and business ties.
Blogs
