It is believed that one of the earliest reserves in the world was created in the 3rd century BC. e. on the island of Sri Lanka. And in the same period, the local emperor for the first time passed a law on the protection and protection of nature and the environment. Today the territory of protected areas totals thousands of hectares in many countries of the world.
A reserve is a territory or water area that is under special supervision, control and protection of the state or private organizations, and completely or partially withdrawn from economic use in order to preserve unique natural complexes. Also, the protected areas provide for the protection of various species of flora and fauna, and monitoring the processes taking place in the reserve.
In the Russian Federation, back in 1995, a federal law on protected natural areas was adopted, which is a legal act regulating the regime of reserves. Unlike popular national parks abroad, any economic activity is prohibited in reserves on the territory of the Russian Federation. Also, mass visits to protected areas by non-specialists, tourists, including, are not allowed. Violation of the integrity of such zones is punishable by law.
The first nature reserve in Russia was founded in Belovezhskaya Pushcha in the middle of the 13th century.
The most significant and important protected areas in the world at the initiative of UNESCO are included in the World Heritage List and are part of the international system of biosphere reserves or reserves. Thus, these objects are already under the protection of international law.
The reserves play an exceptional role in the preservation and restoration of rare and endangered species of animals and plants, unique natural landscapes and resources. Thanks to scientific research obtained in the study of protected natural areas, there is a huge amount of primary data on the state of flora and fauna.
Domestic protected areas are reference areas of natural areas that are preserved in their natural and unchanged form. And their role is important in comparative studies of protected resources with common used forests, where human economic activities are carried out.
Reserves are essential for the maintenance and preservation of natural ecosystems. They are regulators of the normal ecological state of a particular area or an entire region.
And, of course, the reserves perform not only functions aimed at environmental education among the population. They are also an aesthetic and cultural heritage designed to bring joy and satisfaction to all their guests and visitors.
