Andrey Bazdyrev

Kulunda Lake – A Pearl of Siberia!

Lake Kulundinskoe (Andrey Bazdyrev).

Illegal dam on the river in Blagoveshenskiy nature reserves (Andrey Bazdyrev).

The Kulunda lake (Ramsar shadow list, IBA) is a key wetland for biodiversity conservation in Russia. Lake is a habitat of 26 species of birds of the IUCN Red List (Oxyura leucocephala, Circus macrourus, Glareola nordmanni and etc). But the most importance of the lake related to the fact that about no less than 400,000.00 migratory waterbirds stay there. In spite of the fact that the lake is the biggest migratory birds location in the West Siberia the conditions of the lake are not satisfactory: illegal hunting, there are dams on the rivers flowing into the lake, reducing the water supply into the lake, overgrazing of cattle and ploughing of the steppes is observed as well as heavy (or frequent) poaching. In 1970 two nature reserves were established for the conservation of this unique nature object. Besides, they are not secured by real protection measures because only 30% of the lake territory is covered by protected zone borders. Thus, the most important for bird’s habitats areas are not included in the nature reserves. This is the reason for further work on increasing the borders of the protected zone.

Thus, the goal of project is restoration of favorable conditions of Lake Kulunda and its biodiversity. To achieve this goal it is required first of all to carry out a strong educational campaign among the local population, and secondly, to involve local population into preparation of the plan of expanding the borders of the two existing natural reserves on Kulunda lake. As a result, we expect to increase the level of knowledge among local communities that live in the outskirts of the Kulunda lake about value of lake for biodiversity conservation (60-70% of local people). In addition, we will prepare justification for the local government regarding the expanding the territory of existing natural reserves taking into account the interests of the local population.

For further information contact valerich@sibmail.com or strizh.tsu.ru