Experts discussed Toratau Geopark potential in Bashkiria

UFA, 28 January 2019. /Bashinform News Agency, Gulfiya Akulova/ translated by Tatiana Aksyutina/.

A three-day expedition of the regional branch of the Russian Geographical Society was completed in Bashkiria, within which scientists, deputies of the State Assembly RB, members of the regional branch of the Russian Geographical Society determined the borders of the Toratau Geopark and discussed its potential.

The Toratau Geopark was created by the decree of the Acting Head of the republic in December last year. It includes already existing specially protected natural territories — Tratau and Yuraktau Shihans (monadnocks), as well as a number of other unique objects in two districts. These are natural monuments: the Romadanovsky ravine, the Khaza cave, and the Berkhomut spring, the Ziganovka, Elasyn, Olympia caves and their surroundings, Tugar-Salgan lake, Alatau mountain section, Itkulovskoe swamp, the “Ishimbaysky” state nature reserve with Kukrauk waterfall, Salavat Yulaev, and Tash-oi caves, and Kalim-Uskan rock.

The purpose of the trip was to define future tourist routes in the Geopark. The members of the expedition drove 150 km on snowmobiles. The route went along the areas of the Isyakovo, Makarovo, Ziganovka, Gumerovo, Itkulovo, Khazinovo, Sayranovo, Iskisyakovo, Kuzyanovo villages.

“First, we examined the monuments of our republic, in what condition they were, the ways to drive up to them, whether there were sightseeing sites”, the expedition leader, State Assembly deputy Vyacheslav Abroshchenko told the Bashinform News Agency. “We met with the district administration, held a round table with the participation of scientists and the public. We discussed the development prospects of the area, which tourist routes can be organized, and which scientific events should be held. This is, after all, the first Geopark in Russia. There are about 150 of such Geoparks in the world. There is a huge amount of work on its development ahead”.

“Together with scientists, experts, we studied in practice the potential of the region from the point of view of recreation, leisure, and travel,” added Rufina Shagapova, the deputy chairman of the Bashkortostan State Assembly Committee on Agrarian Issues, Ecology and Nature Management.