World Day of Nature Reserves and National Parks

       January 11 marked the World Day of Protected Areas.

       This day was first celebrated in 1997 on the initiative of the Center for Wildlife Conservation (Russia) and the World Wildlife Fund.

       Protected areas and national parks are the largest specially protected natural territories created for the restoration and conservation of reference and other valuable natural complexes and objects, and their use in environmental, scientific, educational, tourist, recreational, and health-improving activities.

       Currently, Belarus has 1 reserve - Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, and 4 national parks: "Belovezhskaya Pushcha", "Braslav Lakes", "Narochansky", "Pripyatsky".

       The Vitebsk region hosts the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve (in the Dokshitsky and Lepelsky districts), the "Braslav Lakes" National Park in the Braslavsky district, and partially the "Narochansky" National Park in the Postavsky district.

       Within these natural territories, the most favorable conditions have been created for the reproduction of flora and fauna. This has been achieved through measures to reduce anthropogenic impact, complete or partial prohibition of any economic activities, and restoration work.

       The Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve was established in 1925 to conserve beavers and other endangered species, and the first national park was Belovezhskaya Pushcha in 1991.

       The reserve is included in the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. In addition, the reserve has the status of a wetland of international importance (Ramsar site), a key botanical area, and an Important Bird Area.