21 Bashkortostan protected nature areas

Located at the joint of Europe and Asia, the Republic of Bashkortostan occupies the greater part of Southern Ural. Bashkortostan is a marvelous land. The Republic’s natural riches have enabled it to develop a powerful industry and stable agribusiness. The Republic of Bashkortostan deservedly ranks among the 13 best-developed subjects of the Russian Federation which account for over a half of Russia’s total industrial output. Bashkortostan is a land of wonders.

According to natural conditions the territory of Bashkortostan can be divided into three parts – western, mountainous and Bashkir Trans-Urals. The western part is located upon the Russian Plains. It is most favourable for life and business activities. It is here that the majority of the population lives.

T

Figure 21.1

he mountain for­ests, steppe and tundra here still amaze with their immensity and proud mag­nificence. More than 600 rivers and 800 lakes trim the beauty of the Republic’s nature. Many of them, including the largest – the Ural and the Aghidel – belong to the Caspian Sea basin.

Bashkortostan is rich in forests covering over one-third of its area (figure 21.1). The predominant species are birch-tree, conifers, lime-tree, oak and maple. About 6 m cum of timber are annually procured and more than half of these are later processed.

The Republic accounts for nearly a third of all lime-tree forests of Russia. It is the lime-tree that makes Bashkir honey world-famous. The latter’s taste and bouquet, as well as the superb quality of the famous healing koumiss (fermented mare’s milk) are contributed to by a rare combination of the vegetation growing on forest glades, edges and meadows, in the rolling Bashkortostan steppes. The share of rich conifers in the forest fund of Bashkortostan makes up 22,6% for today and this is very important figure for our region because taking into consideration peculiarities of our climate – hot summer and rather cold and wet winter – our forests include mainly soft-wooded broadcasting trees: birch-tree, aspen and other. The increase of areas planted with pine-trees and partially elms is the result of long-term work of specialists of Republican forestry. Every year they plant young trees of this culture in nursery forests and on open areas on the territory, which exceeds seven thousands hectares.

Today the Republic of Bashkortostan is on the way to the region’s sustainable development, which will contribute to the conservation of the unique and picturesque nature.

The Flora of Forests of the Republic of Bashkortostan is distinguished by a considerable variety. About 34% of all the natural flora of Bashkortostan grow in the forests of the republic.

Families	The Number of Species
Willows family	12
Birches family	5
Pines family	4
Rose-trees family	4
Elms family	3
Maples family	2
Beeches family	1
Lime-tree family	1
Total:	32

The natural flora of Bashkortostan includes 32 species of trees and make 5,9% of all the higher plants of the flora of the republic.

To date the total territory of strictly protected nature areas in Bashkortostan is 1.700.000 ha or 12% of the republics territory. In the nearest future this area is planned to increase twice. For example, the renowned Reserve «Shulgan-Tash» is the only protected nature area in the world aimed at the conservation of the indigenous wild bee population. Its territory includes one of the famous karst caves in the world.

(3206 signs)

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