Ecological trails, eco-turns, fonts and dendrotherapy were discussed today at the presentation of the Blue Lakes development concept
Today, the Institute of Urban Development of Tatarstan presented the concept of development of the specially protected natural area "Blue Lakes". It represents solutions for the distribution of tourist flows, reduction of anthropogenic load and organization of recreation in this area. For 2 hours, speakers, including Deputy Minister of Ecology of Tatarstan Olga Manidicheva, talked about the future of the reserve. According to Olga Manidicheva, the preservation of specially protected natural areas is one of the most relevant topics today. "Research by the Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan has shown that over the past half century, 3,133 objects have disappeared from the map of the republic. The main reason is the intense anthropogenic load. Today, there is a need to systematize all available information and research on the territory of the reserve and the Blue Lakes system, update the data and assess their current state. This will make it possible to forecast further development and develop the necessary measures to strengthen the protection of the unique ecosystem," the Deputy Minister noted. To date, according to the State Committee for Biological Resources of the Republic of Tatarstan, about 8000 people visit the territory of almost 2000 hectares daily in the summer season. The lakes themselves are visited by about 920 people a day. Such a high anthropogenic load certainly affects the condition of the lakes. According to Ramil Sharafutdinov, Deputy Chairman of the RT State Committee on Bioresources, bonfires and barbecues, parking lots and car passage cause irreparable damage to Blue Lakes. In 2023, 28 administrative cases were opened for violation of the nature reserve regime, the speaker noted.
Ilgizar Zaripov, First Deputy Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Tatarstan, spoke about the ecological framework of the Blue Lakes. He said that specialists are carrying out a whole range of work on the protection, conservation and reproduction of forests in the territory of the Blue Lakes reserve. First of all, these are sanitary and health measures, including cleaning of illiquid wood, cleaning of "emergency", dry-resistant trees.
The concept of the Urban Development Institute of the Republic of Tatarstan is designed to preserve the unique lakes. It is planned that ecological gates, trails with navigation, fonts, a research station and much more will appear on the territory in the near future.
Eco-resorts will appear in the area of the Krutushka residential area, near the bridge of the M7 highway and next to the Big Blue Lake. From these points, you can start your journey on foot or rent a bike. Kazan residents and guests of the city will be able to walk along the nature monument along the ecological trails that will appear between the lakes and the Krutushka. In total, 15 km of educational and 2 km of sports and recreation trails, 12 km of river and 3 km of water route will be created.
There are also plans to organize an environmental station. So, on the Small Blue and Protochnoye Lakes, reservoirs and specially protected natural areas (SPNR) will be monitored. In particular, experts plan to take water samples for hydrological analyses and, based on them, determine recommendations for the protection and recreational use of lakes.
By 2025, five safe fonts will be equipped on the territory at the confluence of lakes with Kazanka. They will become an alternative bathing place without losing the properties of water for lovers of hardening. Two fonts will appear on the Small Blue Lake, one on the Protochnoye Lake and two more are provided on the Large Lake, where work is already being completed.
The activation of the Kazanka River is also planned: the organization of piers, boat stations, river parking and equipped descents. This will help redirect tourists visiting the lakes to the river.
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The concept was developed on behalf of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, together with the State Committee of the Republic of Tatarstan for Bioresources, the Ministry of Ecology and the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic.