Khingansky Reserve: history, inhabitants, flora and fauna

The glaciation did not touch the moist forest-steppes of the Middle Amur Region, thanks to which the virgin forests were preserved in their pristine beauty. Eastern European prairies of the Khingan nature reserve are famous for relict species of tall grass, numerous lakes and swampy troughs.

Location:

Khingan State Nature Reserve includes the territories between the rivers Urila and Mutnaya, the total area of which is 97 thousand hectares. The boundaries of the reserve are delineated by a branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway in the north, and the southern margin almost reaches the Amur. The administration is located in the village of Arkhara. The Innokentevka village is the nearest settlement to the reserve.

The territory of forests, lakes and marshes have become a cradle for nesting several rare species of birds: white stork, Japanese and Daurian cranes.

History of the Khingan Reserve

In 1963, a natural corner was created, intended for recreation of residents of the industrial city of Obluchye. Initially, the PA included one 59 thousand hectares of land. In the late 70-ies of the last century, the territory of the Antonov forestry between Arkhara and Bureya was added to the reserve. In the early 80's a large cluster was added, located between the channels of Uryl and Gryaznoi. The Khingan reserve of the Amur region acquired modern outlines.

Currently, the structure of PAs includes:

• The regional reserve "Ganukan";
• A unique natural monument "Lotus Komarova";
• The reserve of federal importance "Khingano-Arkharinskiy".

Climate

Summer winds bring abundant heavy rains to the reserve. Winters are not very snowy, but they are frosty, the temperature can drop below -40 ° C. Spring brings long-awaited warmth. This arid season is followed by a long and hot summer with many days of rain.

The riot of high grass on the low part affects the diversity of flora, as well as the forests of low-mountain slopes. These places are especially beautiful in June-July, when the bathing-place, iris and krasnodnevy flash bright foci against the background of reedy and sedge thickets interspersed with birch groves and oak forests

The abundance of moisture contributed to the formation of sphagnum marshes and lakes. Here you can find unique plant species: Komarov lotuses, water lilies tetrahedral, egg capsules.

Fauna and flora of the Khingan nature reserve

The whole territory is dominated by Mongolian oaks, there are coniferous-broad-leaved trees. In smaller quantities, Korean cedar, white fir, Siberian and Ayan fir, Amur linden, yellow birch grow. Aldersmen are found in river floodplains. Wet coasts are covered with thickets of bird cherry and willow.

There are more than 1750 species in insects alone. The group of wild boars is the largest in the Amur Region on protected lands. The reserve includes roe deer, red deer, sable, squirrel, Himalayan and brown bears, lynxes, wolves, Far Eastern forest cats, raccoon dogs, muskrats, otters.

Invaluable is the role of the reserve in preserving rare species of birds: cranes, storks, white-tailed eagles, spotted birds, moons.

Unusual inhabitants

One of the most famous animals of the Khingan Reserve is the tigress Ilona. Together with four brothers and sisters she was taken to the reserve by a tiger cub. And the president of Russia let it go.

Currently, the young tigress freely walks around the territory, but people are unobtrusively watching her life. It is known that a huge cat is a wonderful huntress. The basis of its diet is meat of wild boars. She has not yet found a bridegroom, because there are not so many of her brothers in the reserve, but Ilona is ready to create a family.

Recently, a tigress, for some reason, spoiled one of the tracking cameras, while the flash drive disappeared without a trace. Why the wild animal decided to prevent surveillance, it is not known. The camera was replaced and now again helps to collect information about the life of tigers in their natural habitat.

sights

Khingansky Reserve is famous not only for its beautiful nature. It is the highest point of the territory - the mountain of Erakticha, in which the Tarmanchukansky tunnel is located.

In 33 km from the reserve during the construction of the federal highway were found the fossilized bones of ancient reptiles - platypus dinosaurs. Skeletons of ankylosaurs were found nearby, by the way, the first in the Russian Federation. The cemetery of dinosaurs was formed about 67 million years ago. Scientists suggest that the cause of the mass death of ancient giants was the descent from the mountains of mudflow.

A tour of Arkhara will allow you to view petroglyphs on one of the rocks, which date back to 500 BC. Ancient artist painted a hunting scene. Innokentievsky and Arkadievsky pine forests, Esaulovsky mineral spring, as well as hot springs are regarded as natural places of interest.

Tourism

Over a thousand tourists visit the Khingan Reserve during the season. Lovers of wildlife try to observe the inhabitants and admire nature. The most popular route is "The Lake of White Birds". Its length is about half a kilometer, the program is designed for an hour.

How to get there and where to stay

The easiest and quickest way to get from the capital to the Khingan Reserve is to fly to Blagoveshchensk. From there, you can get to the village of Arkhara by bus.

You can stop on the shore of Lake Dolgogo. There is a small campsite, designed for 40 people. It works only in the warm season (houses are not heated). From the Chita - Khabarovsk highway there is a hotel "Vostok", also loved by tourists.