Russian Natural Resources Ministry approved idea of creating protected area on Mount Kushtau

The federal environmental department approved and supported the idea of ​​creating a regional protected natural area on Shikhan (Mount) Kushtau in Bashkiria.

"On August 22, the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia received a letter from the Head of the Republic of Bashkiria, Radiy Khabirov, with a proposal to create a protected natural area of ​​regional importance on Mount Kushtau. The Ministry, for its part, is ready to assist in the creation of protected areas," RIA Novosti reports, citing the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation.

The department also clarified that in the future, protected areas of federal significance might be created in this territory.

On August 16, 2020, Radiy Khabirov arrived at the Shikhan Kushtau, where a conflict occurred between the Bashkir Soda Company and a group of activists opposing the industrial exploitation of the mountain. The Head of the Region managed to end the clashes and persuade all sides to leave the mountain. The Head of the Region promised that no one would enter the mountain until finding a compromise solution.

Kushtau is one of the four Shikhans located near the cities of Sterlitamak and Ishimbay; these are the remains of reefs of ancient seas. Now there are only three such lonely mountains left - these are Toratau, Yuraktau, and Kushtau itself. Development of Shikhan Shakhtau began in the 1950s; the mountain was completely leveled to the ground.