© Lev Fedoseyev/TASS

MOSCOW, October 12. /TASS/. The Pasvik Zapovednik in Murmansk oblast, is part of a unique cross-border nature reserve offers Hiking trails through unspoiled Arctic nature. As reported on Thursday, TASS correspondent in Krasnoyarsk at the site VI environmental conference “environmental Protection and industrial activities in the North,” Vice-President “Norilsk Nickel” Elena Bezdenezhnykh, their development will be a continuation of the cooperation between the company, regional authorities and employees of the reserve.

“A program of Norilsk Nickel from the Murmansk region to support scientific and educational directions. Within its framework, in the nature reserve “Pasvik” is the development of tourist routes,” – said cash-strapped.

She noted that “Pasvik” for such work. It is not as far as other areas of the presence of “Norilsk Nickel”, and is a very interesting territory, spanning three countries – Russia, Norway and Finland . “Its attendance is one of the biggest,” said cash-strapped. Details of the developed routes not yet sounded.

Oasis of the Northern nature

The Pasvik Zapovednik, which is part of the trilateral cross-border Park “Pasvik-Inari”, created in July 1992 for the preservation and study of the most Northern European pine forests, extensive wetlands of global significance, fauna of waterfowls and management of complex monitoring of the Northern ecosystems.

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It is a unique protected area. Located in the valley of the Pasvik river, flowing from lake Inari in Finland, flowing through Russia and flows into the Barents sea in Norway. The reserve area is 14.6 thousand hectares.

In the reserve there are rare species included in Red books of Russia, Murmansk region, East Fennoscandia and the international list of IUCN. As reported in the reserve, is a rare vascular plants, lichens, mushrooms. Among the rare birds live here or stop when flying crested cormorant, lesser Swan, piskulka, black and Barnacle goose, white-belohvost, peregrine Falcon, etc. To rare mammal species include the wood lemming, Wolverine, lynx, ROE deer.

The reserve participates in the work of the Russian-Norwegian intergovernmental Commission on environmental protection, Russian-Finnish Commission on border water bodies, the Russian-Finnish intergovernmental working group on the protection of the environment, Federation “Europarc”. He initially became one of the sites of political, administrative and cultural relations of the three States.

The centre for tourists and researchers

Earlier this year the reserve was established the visitor centre. It is located in the village of Nickel in the Pechenga district of the Murmansk region in the building area of 840 sqm and equipped with high-tech means working with the General public. The visitor centre should become a place of meetings professionals international in nature, socio-political and cultural spheres, recreation and tourism. The center will hold exhibitions, lectures, discussions, forums, various international organizations – Federation “Europarc”, “Green belt of Europe” and others.

In the building of the visitor centre is a conference hall for 85 people, two small meeting rooms, a hall for the permanent exhibition, space for temporary exhibitions and rooms for visiting specialists, the offices of the staff of the reserve, viewing platform on the roof of the laboratory room. It was purchased with funds of Ministry of natural resources. Reconstruction was carried out with funds of Norilsk Nickel investments of the company amounted to 77.5 million.

It is the visitor centre will be to coordinate the creation of tourist routes across three borders. On the Norwegian territory of the reserve center – ecological center “Svanhovd” – was established immediately at the base of the reserve.

Budding scientists

Polar to the students “Pasvik” has long been a center of tourism and research. To do this, there is created each summer camp for students where children learn the methods of studying nature. As reported the correspondent of TASS Methodist environmental education of the reserve Oksana Krotov, pupils, in addition to recreation, have the opportunity to participate in serious research work.

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Using portable weather stations they are studying weather. There is also a field laboratory, with the help of the guys conducting studies of water and soil. They also participate in bird ringing, creating crafts from natural materials. Teach children how reserve staff and guests from educational and research institutions from different regions.

It is the only such camp in the region. It has been held for nine years by the efforts of reserve staff with the support of “Norilsk Nickel”. It accepts children of all school ages, some come every year.