The nature reserve “Gydansky” was transformed into the national park

The state nature reserve “Gydansky” was transformed into Gydansky National Park. It is stated in the decree of the government of the Russian Federation on the 10th of December, 2019.

“Indigenous ethnic minorities - Gydan Nenets and Enets peoples live within the borders of the nature reserve “Gydansky”. In order to ensure their traditional economic activity, the reserve was transformed into the national park, which provides for the zone of traditional extensive nature management, within which fishing, hunting, berry and mushroom picking are allowed”, as it is said in the statement of the government of the Russian Federation.

It is explained that amendments were brought into the Federal Law “On specially protected natural territories” on the 3rd of August, 2018. They foresee that a number of state nature reserves should be transformed into national parks, since, due to the circumstances, the activity that does not correspond to the mode of a nature reserve but is permissible in a national park is conducted on their territory.

The state nature reserve “Gydansky” with the total area of 878174 hectares is located on the Gydansky Peninsula and islands of the Kara Sea, on the territory of Tazovskiy district of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The protected water area consists of Gydan Strait, Oleny Strait and Yuratski Bay. The entire territory of the reserve is located in the arctic tundra subzone. On its territory there is the polar bear and the Atlantic walrus. Coastal waters are home for the beluga whale, the ringed seal and the bearded seal. The East Atlantic flight path of aquatic and near-water birds flying along the northern shores of Eurasia passes through the nature reserve.

Within the borders of the nature reserve indigenous ethnic minorities - Gydan Nenets and Enets people travel and live, while pasturing reindeer herds. It leads to violation of the current legislation on specially protected natural territories. In conformity with the legislation, the stay of individuals on the territory of nature reserves is possible only for purposes of scientific activity, they do not provide for allocation of functional zones, recreational activities and eco-tourism.

According to the signed decree, the nature reserve “Gydansky” is transformed into the national park and will be supervised by the Ministry of natural resources of the Russian Federation. The zone of traditional extensive nature management of the national park is foreseen in order to ensure traditional economic activity of indigenous ethnic minorities. Fishing, hunting, berry and mushroom picking are allowed within the zone.