The document discusses tourism as a nature-based solution in Russian protected areas. It provides background on Russia's system of protected areas, which includes 103 strict nature reserves called zapovedniks that prohibit economic activity as well as national parks and sanctuaries that allow some activities. The case study focuses on the Polistovsky Reserve, a zapovednik in northwest Russia known for its raised bogs and biodiversity. The reserve organizes educational tourism like guided hikes and boat tours with a focus on minimum environmental impact. It also cooperates with local communities by involving them in offering additional cultural excursions and local products to generate benefits from the protected area.

1. Tourism as a nature-based solution
in Russian Protected Areas
Elena Nikolaeva, 13/11/2014
IUCN WCPA Vice Chair, North Eurasia
IUCN WCPA TAPAS Group

2. Presentation Outline
 Background - Russian system of
Protected areas
 Implications for tourism
 Case study: Polistovsky reserve,
the North-West of Russia
• uniqueness of the area
• organization of tourism in general
• excursions
• cooperation with local community

3. Background – Russian system of Protected Areas
 103 Zapovedniks
 47 National parks
 68 Federal sanctuaries

4. Background – Russian system of Protected Areas
Federal level protected areas:
Zapovedniks = strict nature reserves. Category I IUCN.
• main purpose – biodiversity protection
• any type of economic activity is prohibited
• special permit is needed to enter the area
National parks – category II IUCN
• main purpose – biodiversity protection and recreation
• hunting, fishing, logging, mining are prohibited
Sanctuaries – category IV IUCN
• often were created to protect certain species
• regime of many sanctuaries is similar to zapovedniks
Managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology
Regional and local level protected areas:
Nature parks, nature monuments, regional reserves
Managed by regional and local authorities.
In total 11% of the country area are protected

5. Background – Russian system of Protected Areas
For many years protected areas developed in isolation from the society;
the main focus was on biodiversity protection, scientific research and law
enforcement
Good for biodiversity, but exclusion of the society from decision-making
process brought about such problems as:
• lack of environmental awareness
• negative attitude towards PA activities
• indifference of general public and other stakeholders
Zapovednik - category 1 IUCN PA Management categories –
“wilderness area; set aside to protect biodiversity, where human visitation,
use and impacts are strictly controlled and limited to ensure protection of
the conservation values”.
Protected Areas
Conservation of biodiversity
Local communities

6. Ecotourism – responsible travel to nature areas that conserves the
environment and improves the well-being of local people (TIES, 2012)
Alternative sustainable livelihoods
Possible benefits to local communities:
• Accommodation and meals
• Working as guides
• Working in visitor centers and guest house
• Providing their own tourist products
Contribution to environmental education
But ecotourism in wilderness areas can be tricky as it puts into question
some important values associated with this type of Protected Areas, and
potentially can change their specificiality and uniqueness.
How to develop?
Implications for tourism

7. Case study – Polistovsky Reserve (Zapovednik)
Polistovsky Reserve

8. How does it look like? 15 cm above the surface

9. How does it look like? 2 m above the surface

10. Case study – Polistovsky Reserve
Opportunities for educational tourism!
- intact wilderness;
- high biodiversity, rare species of birds;
- the largest raised bog system of Europe;
- unique functions of ecosystems that are important on a global scale;
- Interesting local cultural heritage

11. Case study - Polistovsky Reserve
Visitor
Center
Educational
Excursions
Transport
Organization of tourism: combination of natural and cultural values
Accommodation
Establish dialogue with local
communities
Show opportunities that exist
because of PA
Encourage locals to come up
with their own tourist
products

12. Case study - Polistovsky zapovednik
Excursions:
• Bog trail – 4 km. All about bog’s ecosystems.
• Forest trail – 5 km. Story about natural recovery of European primary forest.
• Boat excursion – 20 km. Role of wetlands, birdwatching.
• Winter routes – snowshoeing on the bog
• Beaver watching
Main emphasis - education
Min impact on the environment

13. Case study - Polistovsky zapovednik
Cooperation with local communities:
• Historical excursion in the village
• Excursion in the Soviet classroom
• Rail trolley excursion
• Cooking master classes for tourists
• Traditional Russian meals in the
stove; story telling
• Souvenirs (herbal teas, cranberries)

14. Case study – Lessons Learnt
Educational
tourism
Minimum
impact on the
environment
Benefits for
local
community
Tourism as a nature based solution:
Engaging local
community

15. Thank you for attention!
QUESTIONS??