January 11 - Day of Reserves and National Parks
Today, January 11, the Russian Federation celebrates an official holiday - the Day of Reserves and National Parks. The date was established in 1997 by the Wildlife Conservation Center and the World Wildlife Fund. The purpose of the holiday is to attract public attention to environmental problems, to foster respect for nature.
By tradition, thematic conferences, lectures, various actions, and events are held on this day, awards are given to public figures and scientists who have contributed to environmental protection.
In Russia, state nature reserves and national parks are classified as specially protected natural areas (SPNA). These are objects of the national heritage of our country. It is forbidden to carry out any construction and industrial activities in national parks and reserves. Ecologists and biologists carry out their research and scientific activities in these protected areas. In addition, national parks are popular tourist destinations. They represent a unique corner of untouched nature.
In total, there are about 12 thousand protected areas in Russia of various levels and categories, including federal significance: 108 nature reserves, 63 national parks, and 60 state nature reserves. The total area of specially protected natural areas, both federal and regional, is about 232.5 million hectares, or 13.6% of the country's area. At the same time, the system of protected areas continues to develop - new reserves and national parks are being created.