Eastern Russia by far offers the largest, least visited nature domain in the world. Far away from the beaten path this part of Russia has been off and on, the stage upon which politics were played by high ranking people in the political system.Riding either the Trans Siberian train or the BAM through vast areas of both the Russian Far East and Siberia, one is absolutely stunned by the incredible tracks of forest (regretfully marred by areas that have been mined without any type of restoration.) Some places, such as Kamchatka offer wilderness that mostly is left in tact, partly due to the fact that it was long a forbidden area, also for Russians and partly because there is no road system connecting the north to the south.In the earliest stages of exploration, when the region was only populated by ancient cultures, adventurers came from wide and far came to exploit both natural resources as well as the people who tended the land. Harsh stories became known, about various cultures suffering mightily from these invasions, either in battle or by contracting illnesses for which they did not have a cure.At the same time, explorers such as Bering and his friend Steller, made large contributions to the knowledge about nature in the far away regions of the east. Steller gathered much information about flora and fauna, in their expeditions across the Bering Sea.
Later during Soviet times nature was actually better taken care of. A system was put in place to protect both wildlife and nature in protected areas. Notorious men in the Russian Far East history, such as V.K. Arseniev, put in all their efforts to preserve large tracts of nature for future generations.East Russia has the highest concentration of nature preserves, reserves and natural parks. Nowadays these protected areas, some of them hosing rare species of animals, such as the Amur Tiger in the Ussurisky and Lazovsky Nature Preserves, or the Far eastern Snow Leopard, of which 20 species are only left in the Kedrovaya Pad Reserve, have extreme difficulties to manage their small pieces of wilderness.Higher income levels have driven the interest by local people in their own natural heritage. Visitation figures to the park are extremely high, yet the contributions by these visitors are not sufficient to offset the impact on the preserve’s buffer zones nature. Funding is extremely tight, whether the preserves, reserves and natural parks are federal, regional or locally funded.In addition, no true wilderness management system have evolved, putting people formerly in jobs of protection and preservation in jobs that deal with handling large and mostly rambunctious crowds.
Much has been done in the field by programs such as WWF and UNDP to assist with the protection and conservation of these rare pieces of untouched nature, abundant wildlife and wilderness. However an antiquated system of laws and reluctance on the part of the scientific staff make it difficult to work with and implement international measures or increase experience of management and staff.Foreign visitors attracted to the immense wilderness of East Russia mostly are hesitant to go. Stories of returned travelers do not always convey satisfaction with their experiences. Just like anywhere else in the world, where the market economy has not yet taken hold, it is difficult for people some of which have never been exposed to international travelers, to put themselves in their shoes. We are and this is a fact, totally opposites in our approach to nature, the Russian closer to the earth with a dig in attitude, while in general our travelers enjoy more of a story telling approach to the appreciation of nature.Yet, it is time to get together, without a doubt if we do not do this, we will loose these large tracks of wilderness. And that is not just important for the Russians but important for us as well. Fairly soon, we might not have any wilderness left ourselves.
What can we do! We can show an interest in being more open to other ways of conservation and protection and by doing that, perhaps find a more cooperative attitude on the other side. Let’s listen first, even if it takes a long time about what these areas really mean to Russians and then find ways in which we can cooperate.Let’s truly understand that Russians love their wilderness and understand that poaching is not necessarily an indication of disrespect, but might be explained by harsh economic circumstances. Let’s see whether two minds listening intently to each other can not come with some workable solutions.Currently UNDP is working with the four protected areas in Kamchatka, four incredible areas of wilderness, all of them offering different experiences. We are working on programs to help these areas build some form of ecotourism, .mostly in their buffer zones. After you have read the information on the Web Site, let us know what you think about their development. Think about ways in which your thoughts, your ideas could make a difference in protecting these great areas of wilderness.
