Polessky radiation-ecological reserve

Polessky State Radiation Ecological Reserve is considered to be the largest nature reserve in Belarus.
The reserve was established July 18, 1988 in the three most affected areas of Belarus - Khoiniki, Bragin and Narovlyansky. Initially, the area of ​​the Polesie radiation-ecological reserve was 1,313 thousand square meters. km, but in 1993 it was added to a part of the territory, after which the area was 2,160 thousand square meters. km.

There is no population on the territory of the protected zone and economic activity is stopped. A distinctive feature of the reserve is the presence of high levels of pollution of the natural environment as a result of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant with radionuclides.

The reserve is structurally divided into 3 sections located on the territory of the respective regions. The administrative center is in Khoyniki, the scientific part is in the former settlement Babchin, the experimental base is in Vorotets. In order to protect the territory from unauthorized access, 11 checkpoints have been installed.  

The nature reserve performs the following tasks:

• implementation of measures to prevent the transfer of radionuclides to adjacent areas  
• monitoring of changes in radiation situation
• radiation-ecological monitoring of soil, air, water, flora and fauna
• protection of the territory from unauthorized entry in order to ensure the natural development of wildlife.

  There are three fire-chemical stations in the reserve. During the fire-dangerous period, observation is conducted from 37 observation towers and air patrols are conducted on the territory.  

  Limited economic activity is carried out on the territory of the Polessky radiation-ecological reserve. The experimental base is an animal farm, which contains 250 heads of pedigree horses of the breed Russian and Soviet heavyweights, 45 heads of pigs, 45 heads of cattle. Also there is a bee-hopper for 80 families, a pleasant prickly cups' garden, planting stock nurseries, wood processing plants.

  The reserve is located in the basin of the main river Polesie - Pripyat. Half of the territory of the reserve is covered with forest. Thet territory which is not covered by forest - is mostly former agricultural land.

  There are 92 uninhabited villages in the reserve that attract many species of wild animals. Currently, 11 species of amphibians, 7 species of reptiles, 226 birds, and 46 mammals are recorded on the territory of the Polessky radiation and ecological reserve. It is home to rare species - the European swamp turtle. Also there are some species of birds that are included into the Red Book. On the territory of the reserve there are 145 individuals of the bison, 50 lynx animals, 120 individuals of the badger, the permanent inhabitant is a bear.

  In 2008, Przewalski horse stepped on the land Polessky radiation and ecological reserve. They came here from Ukraine, where they were brought in 1998-1999. from the reserve "Askania-Nova". For the first time in the Polessky radiation-ecological reserve they were seen near the village of Teshkov. There are valuable in terms of nutrition and rare for Belarus steppe plant communities.

  The plant world is characterized by high diversity and specificity. At present 1012 species of vascular plants are registered, 44 of which are included into the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus and 10 plants included in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.