The Mari Chodra National Park was organized on September 13, 1985 by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR “On the creation of the Mari Chodra State Natural National Park in the Mari Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.” The history of Mari Chodra is not limited to 1985.
At the end of the 19th century, in the Kazan province, which included the Mari region, the Lushmar forestry was formed.
On October 1, 1927, the Lushmara forestry became known as the Mushmari forestry enterprise, and since 1929 the forestry enterprise became a timber industry enterprise.
Since 1963, the Mushmarinsky forestry enterprise has become a mechanical forestry enterprise, the material and technical base has expanded, its staff has increased, thinning began to be carried out mechanized, and reforestation takes on a mainly artificial nature, but, as before, the main factor of production was man.
1966 was the year the permanent tree nursery was founded. With modern technology and advanced work organization, the nursery was one of the best in Russia and was repeatedly awarded the title “Nursery of High Culture.”
A significant contribution to the development of the Mushmarinsky mechanized forestry enterprise was made by its director A.N. Nemtsev. Having justified the organization of a permanent tree nursery, he laid the foundation for the concept of the future Mari Chodra National Park. “Do not cut down the forest, but care for it, restore it and use it for recreational purposes,” this principle was discussed back in the mid-60s and 70s, but was legally enshrined only in 1985.
The Mari Chodra National Park today is 36.8 thousand hectares of forest, 4 forest districts: Lushmarskoye, Klenovogorskoye, Yalchinskoye, Kerebelyakskoye, and since 2000 also the Mushmarinsky forest nursery (now the nursery of the Mari Chodra NP).
Goals of creation:
Preservation of natural complexes, unique and standard natural sites and objects, preservation of historical monuments, culture and other cultural heritage sites, environmental education of the population, creation of conditions for regulated tourism and recreation of the population, familiarization with nature, cultural and historical attractions, development and implementation of scientific methods nature conservation, educational activities, implementation of measures for the protection and reproduction of flora and fauna. The national park regime allows for the preservation of natural complexes and objects of flora and fauna, as well as cultural and historical objects.
Particularly valuable natural objects
The park has more than 30 archeological and historical monuments that date back to the Neolithic era: settlements, places of worship (burial grounds, prayer sites, altars).
Archaeological sites:
Name | a brief description of |
1. Oshutyal VIII settlement | Opened in 1995. There are 6 deep depressions. Presumably they belong to the remains of ancient semi-dugout dwellings. |
2. Oshutyalskaya IV site | Discovered in 1994. No material remains have been identified, cultural affiliation has not been determined. |
3. Oshutyalskaya I site | Opened in 1975. The width of the site is 7 - 9 m. The surface is turfed and overgrown with mixed forest. Approximate area 200 m2. Upon inspection, you will find a sub-rhombic arrowhead. |
4. Oshutyal III settlement | Opened in 1991. The surface of the monument is well turfed and covered with mixed forest. A total of 14 depressions were identified. The collection of excavations totals 3,320 items. The monument is dated to the Late Bronze Age of the Zaimishchensky and Atabaevsky stages of the Prikazan culture (last quarter of the 2nd millennium BC). The monument is of interest for the study of the Late Bronze Age in the river basin. Volga. |
5. Settlement of Ozerki III | Opened in 2002. The surface of the monument is well turfed and covered with pine forest. Area 900 m2. 3 depressions were identified. The cultural affiliation of the monument and the time of its existence have not been determined. |
6. Complex of monuments near the village of Ozerki (Oshutyal II site) | Opened in 1975. The site of the monument is crossed by an old dirt road. In 1974, forest planting was carried out on the site of the monument. Identified as a Chalcolithic site (Volosovo culture). Excavations have been carried out. The monument is of interest for the study of the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Late Bronze Age and Early Middle Ages on the left bank of the river. Volga. |
7. Ozerki V site | Opened in 1994. The site of the monument is well turfed, overgrown with mixed forest, area 2000 m2. Excavations have been carried out. |
8. Ozerki IV site (Oshutyalskaya VI) | Opened in 1994. The monument is attributed to the Kama culture of the Neolithic era. Excavations have been carried out. |
9. Burial ground near the village of Polevaya | Opened in 1956. The burial ground dates back to the 17th – 18th centuries. and defined as Mari pagan. Excavations have been carried out. |
10. Prayer site near the village of Yanash-Belyak “Aga Pairem Arch” | Opened in 1956 |
11. Prayer site near the village of Pekoza | Some birches reach 1.5 m. All birches in this grove have signs (ancestral tamgas), cut with an ax at a height of 1 - 1.5 m. It is an ancient Mari pagan prayer site. |
12. Prayer site near the village of Tashnur | Opened in 1956 |
13. Location I near the village of Pekoza | Discovered in 1956. No cultural layer or other finds were found. A local resident found an ax dating back to the Bronze Age (Balanovo culture). |
14. Location II near the village of Pekoza | Opened in 1956. A local resident found an iron pink salmon scythe, a vomer and a copper stirrup. No other finds were found. Based on the artifact assemblage, the location is dated to the first half of the 2nd millennium AD. e. |
15. Location I near the village of Toshnur | Discovered in 1956. Flint flakes were found. No cultural layer has been identified. |
16. Location near the village of Yanash-Belyak | In 1956, granite and flint flakes of uncertain shape were found. No cultural layer has been identified. |
17. Parking lot near the village of Alekseevskoye | In 1956, fragments of molded ceramics with textile imprints and flint flakes were found. The parking area is 250 m2. |
18. Burial ground near the village. Alekseevskoe | It was discovered during the digging of a pit in 1970. Human bones, silver and bronze jewelry, beads, and iron tools were found. In the walls of the pit there were grave pits with the remains of coffins. The graves were not opened. |
Description
The territory of the Mari Chodra National Park is located in the eastern part of the Russian Plain, on the southern spurs of the Mari-Vyatka ridge, in the river basin. Ilet is a left tributary of the Volga River. There is an alternation of flat (Mari Lowland) and elevated sections of the Mari-Vyatka ridge, complicated by hills, cut by ravines, sides, hollows, and changes in relief. The park is located in a natural zone of coniferous-deciduous forests with boreal and forest-steppe elements. In floristic terms, the Mari Chodra National Park is located at the junction of the European and West Siberian provinces of the Euro-Siberian floristic region A. A. Fedorov (1979). The capital of the Republic of Mari El is 70 km away, Cheboksary is 80 km away, Kazan is 80 km away. The Yoshkar-Ola – Kazan railway and the Yoshkar-Ola – Zeleny Dol highway run through the park from north to south.
1 of 15
Presentation on the topic: Mari Chodra
Slide no. 1
Slide description:
Slide no. 2
Slide description:
NATIONAL PARK IS PART OF THE SYSTEM OF PROTECTED AREAS OF THE COUNTRYNational Park “Mari Chodra” was formed in 1985 and became a link in the system of protected areas in Russia. This system includes nature reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and natural monuments that differ in their goals and objectives. In Mari Chodra, the reserve regime is established in the northeastern part of the park.
Slide no. 3
Slide description:
The most important objectives of the Mari Chodra Park are: protection and restoration of landscapes of water bodies, characteristic flora and fauna, objects of inanimate nature, historical monuments; protection of natural complexes and their use for recreational, educational and scientific purposes; creation of conditions for long-term recreation and tourism , acquaintance with nature and historical attractions; widespread propaganda among the population about environmental protection issues.
Slide no. 4
Slide description:
National parks stand out among them in that they are created not only to protect natural complexes, but also to organize tourism and educational recreation. The combination of these opposing functions within the boundaries of one park is achieved by allocating areas with different modes of use. In 1987, a list of ten state natural monuments was approved in the park: these are lakes Glukhoe, Kichier, Yalchik, Ergesh-er Shut-er, Kuzh-er, hydrogen sulfide Lake Shulgaldan, Klenovogorskaya oak grove (Pugachev oak), the Green Key spring, Klenovaya Gora.
Slide no. 5
Slide description:
The Mari Chodra Park is located in the southeast of the Mari El Republic and covers an area of 36.6 thousand hectares. Thanks to its location at the junction of geological structures and natural zones, a significant variety of landscapes is created here. The relief is dominated by plains, although their surface is different in the west and east of the park. In its western part, the plains are composed of a thick layer of sandy deposits deposited by rivers and glacier meltwater.
Slide no. 6
Slide description:
The basins of almost all lakes are of sinkhole-karst origin. Large lakes occupy bathtubs formed by merging sinkholes, such as Mushan-er and Deaf Lake. Karst sinkholes can be seen in the area of Lake Yalchik. Hiking hunters and lovers of quiet walks, avid fishermen and those who need treatment can all find something suitable for themselves in the Mari Chodra National Park. And so what What could be better than relaxing in the forest?! It’s easier to breathe here: you think better.
Slide no. 7
Slide description:
PARK TERRITORY - HISTORICAL OBJECT The territory where the park is located has long been inhabited by the Mari people. The formation of the ancient Mari into the Mari people, or Cheremis, occurred in the 1st millennium AD. Their ancestors were representatives of tribal groups that inhabited the space between the Volga and Oka on the one hand and the Kama on the other. The slow flow of life was disrupted by wars and the intervention of powerful neighbors. Traditions depict events in history such as the Peasant War. They say that Emelyan Pugachev himself stopped on Klenovaya Mountain after the defeat near Kazan in 1774 and, climbing a tall oak tree, watched the fire blaze over the abandoned city. It is believed that the oak tree that currently stands on Klenovaya Mountain is the same one from Pugachev.
Slide no. 8
Slide description:
TOURISM AND RECREATION IN “MARIY CHODRA” The lakes are very attractive for tourists, the largest of them and the most famous are Yalchik and Kichier. On the banks of Yalchik there are rest houses, tourist centers, sports and recreational and pioneer camps. Pine and spruce-pine forests surrounding the lake create a microclimate favorable for relaxation. Forests and sandy beaches, the water surface of the lake make the landscapes similar to the Baltic. Lake Kichier with its surrounding dry cobblestone forests is also a popular recreation area. Here is the Kichier sanatorium, the Stroitel sanatorium and rest homes.
Slide no. 9
Slide description:
The growing needs of the population for proper recreation require improvement of tourist services in the park. Therefore, new hiking and skiing routes and ecological and educational trails are being developed. To improve the recreational and aesthetic qualities of the territory, tourist towns and parking lots are equipped. The houses of the tourist town of Kugu-er near the lake are designed for a longer period. Yalchik. And in the Klenovogorskoye and Yalchinskoye forest districts there are rental points waiting for you where you can rent a boat, a tent, and various tourist equipment. 
Slide description:
Employees of the Mari Chodra Park annually conduct censuses of animals and birds and take snow samples to study the acidity of the snow cover. The census data makes it possible to detect places where animals gather, their numbers, and to ensure targeted implementation of biotechnical measures. Forestry and ranger services are organized in the park, which conduct raids to protect forest resources, game fauna, reservoirs and their inhabitants.
Slide no. 12
Slide description:
The flora of the national park represents 85% of all plant species found on the territory of the Mari El Republic. Of the 1,155 species and subspecies that grow in the park, 980 are representatives of the natural flora, the rest are cultivated and alluvial plants. Protected species growing in the park include red pollenhead, curly lily, May lily of the valley, common bearberry, open lumbago (sleep-grass). The amazing ancient plant white water lily grows in oxbow lakes and lakes.
Slide no. 13
Slide description:
The largest waterway in the national park is the Ilet River. This is the left tributary of the Volga. The mud flows in a wide valley. There are many oxbow lakes rich in fish in the valley; Ducks nest and hatch their chicks in them. About fifty Ileti oxbows contain mud that has medicinal properties. Where Ilet approaches the Klenovogorskaya Upland, its valley narrows, the slopes become steep, and in some places even steep, bedrock is exposed, and water springs, including mineral ones, emerge to the surface. There are about two dozen mineral springs in the Maple Mountain area; their waters have a predominantly calcium sulfate composition
Slide no. 14
Slide description:
On the basis of the Green Key spring, the Klenovaya Gora sanatorium was built, which operates year-round and has a capacity of 540 beds. Vacationers are accommodated in 1-2 bed rooms. Diseases of the digestive organs and nervous system are treated, hydrogen sulfide mud and mineral water are used. The sanatorium is provided with all the necessary modern medical equipment, there is also a club, a cinema hall, a library, sports grounds, a swimming pool, and excursions to Yoshkar-Ola and Kazan are organized.
Slide no. 15
Slide description:
The park was formed in 1985 to preserve the standard natural complexes of the Republic of Mari El. Translated from the Mari language, “Mari Chodra” means “Mari forest”. The entire territory of the park is covered with beautiful pine forests and coniferous-deciduous forests. The decoration of the park is clean and beautiful karst lakes, many of which are declared natural monuments. The attractiveness of the park is the abundance of mineral springs. The largest of them is the Green Spring, the water of which is used in treatment.
Relief
The territory of the park is formed by the southern spurs of the Mari-Vyatsky Uval. The southwestern part of the park is adjacent to the river. Volga. Most of the territory belongs to the Iletsky upland-plain southern taiga region with the development of modern karst, the smaller part belongs to the Polesie valley-terrace lake region of mixed forests. The park area is a gently undulating plain with island uplands (Kerebelakskaya, Klenovogorskaya), with absolute heights of 75–125 m above sea level. m. The highest absolute elevation of the territory is the peak of Maple Mountain - 196.0 m above sea level. m. The active manifestation of the karst process led to the development of karst landforms - numerous sinkholes, up to 50–60 m in diameter, and sinkhole-type lakes, up to 35–40 m deep.
Hydrology
Lakes. The park contains a significant number of picturesque lakes of karst origin. Most of them are declared natural monuments, Glukhoye, Kichier, Yalchik, Ergezh-Er, Shut-Er, Kuzh-Er, Shungaldan. They are round or oblong in shape, up to 40 m deep, with a silt bottom. The lakes are fed by springs or small rivers and streams. Some of them have underground connections with neighboring rivers.
Lake Glukhoe is located 4 km east of the village. Yalchinsky. The shores of the lake are relatively high, steep, and covered with forest. The area of the lake is 22.0 hectares, maximum depth 23 m, length 2140 m, width 100 m. The water is dark, brownish in color. The bottom of the lake is dense, partly sandy or limestone.
Lake Kichier is located in the Yalchin forestry. The shores are flat, sandy, and slightly swampy in places. The area of the lake is 46.0 hectares, maximum depth 16 m, total length 3 km. Consists of three interconnected swimming pools. The water is dark. The bottom is muddy. The sludge is dark, black, with the smell of hydrogen sulfide.
Lake Yalchik is located in the Yalchinsky forestry. It consists of a central large basin and three adjacent ones, connected to it by narrow and shallow straits. The shores of the lake are mostly sandy and only silty in places. The highest and steepest are the eastern and northern shores. The lake is surrounded on almost all sides by mixed forest with a predominance of pine. The area of the lake is about 150 hectares, the maximum depth is 35 m. The water is clear. The bottom is sandy.
Lake Ergezh-Er (translated from Mari as Round). Located in Kerebelyak forestry. It is part of the system of karst lakes located at the foot of the ledge of the Kerebelyak Upland. The area of the lake is 4.5 hectares, maximum depth 13 m, length 350 m, width 150 m. The water is clear. Bottom sediments are insignificant.
Lake Shut-Er (translated from Mari, Black). Located in Kerebelyak forestry. It is part of a system of karst lakes located at the foot of the ledge of the Kerebelyak Upland along its eastern steep slope. The area of the lake is 28.9 hectares, maximum depth 17.5 m, length 1550 m, width 300 m. The water is dark in color. Bottom sediments are insignificant. The diet is mixed (groundwater, springs, swamps). The banks are high, but not steep.
Lake Kuzh-Er (translated from Mari as Long). Located in Kerebelyak forestry. It is part of a system of karst lakes located at the foot of the ledge of the Kerebelyak Upland along its eastern steep slope. The area of the lake is 25.0 hectares, maximum depth 26.5 m, length 1300 m, width 200 m. Water transparency 4 m. It is fed by groundwater, partly by the springs of the western shore. Bottom sediments are insignificant. The northern and southern shores are swampy. The western bank is high (about 40 m). A channel flows from the northern corner of the lake and flows into the lake. Yergezh Er.
Lake Shungaldan is located 1.5 km from the Green Key mineral spring, on the left bank of the river. Fly. The lake is oval in shape, of sinkhole origin, with marshy shores. The hydrogen sulfide content in water reaches 50–75 mg per 1 liter, which gives the water valuable medicinal properties for external use in the form of baths.
The Green Key mineral spring is located at the foot of Klenovaya Gora, 1.8 km from the mouth of the river. Yushut. The water of the source rises from the bottom of a funnel, the diameter of which is about 2 m, and partially flows out from under the base of Klenovaya Gora, connecting into one stream, up to 6 m wide and 0.7–0.8 m deep. It flows into the river. Fly. Water consumption from 1000 to 1540 l/s. The water temperature is constant throughout the year and is 6.5°C. The chemical composition of the water is calcium sulfate.
Rivers. The main river of the park, Ilet, crosses it from northeast to southwest and flows into the Volga. Its left bank tributaries are the river. Yushut, Arbaika, Uba. The river flows into it on the right. Petyalka. The silt flows through a plain with slightly undulating terrain, covered with mixed forests, its speed is 0.2–0.8 m/s. In winter the river does not freeze. The river bed is winding, composed of limestone and sand, subject to deformation, the banks are flat and swampy in places. The width of the channel reaches 20–40 m.
The floodplain of the Ilet River is two-sided, up to 500 m wide, overgrown with shrubs and mixed forests. In its floodplain and tributaries there are about 200 oxbow lakes, where beavers, minks, muskrats, otters live, waterfowl nest, and fish live. Many of the oxbow lakes are rich in healing mud. During the warm period of the year, the river's water content allows tourist boats to pass through.
Soils
The soil cover is varied due to differences in topography and underlying rocks. The most common soils (81% of the park area) include podzolic and soddy-podzolic soils.
Climate
The climate of the park is moderate continental. It is characterized by relatively hot summers and frosty winters with stable snow cover. The average temperature of the warmest month of July is 18.6°C. The absolute minimum air temperature in winter reaches -52 C. The average duration of the warm period of the year with temperatures above 0°C is about 200 days.
The territory of the park belongs to a zone of unstable moisture: there are years with sufficient, sometimes excessive moisture, but there are also dry years. Precipitation falls unevenly throughout the year: the greatest amount is observed in summer, the least in winter. An average of about 500 mm of precipitation falls annually. The highest monthly precipitation is observed in July – 60–70 mm. The invasion of cold air masses from the polar basin with northern, northwestern and northeastern winds causes a sharp drop in temperature in winter, and frosts in spring and autumn. Continental air masses from the southeast often invade the park territory. In spring or summer they cause dry conditions, in winter – clear, frosty weather.
Add to bookmarks:
Location and history of the Mari Chodra National Park
National Park Mari Chodra"in 1985 on the territory of the Republic of Mari El. The national park is located in the southeast of the Republic of Mari El, in its most economically developed part, on the territory of three administrative districts: Morkinsky, Zvenigovsky, Volzhsky. There are 5 settlements in the park, where About 15 thousand people live there.
The area of the national park is 36.6 thousand hectares, all lands are provided to the national park. Forest lands occupy 34.0 thousand hectares (92.9% of the park), incl. covered with forest - 33.5 thousand hectares (91.5%).
Non-forest lands occupy only 7.1% of the park's territory, among them: hayfields, pastures, arable lands - 1%, water - 2%, swamps - 1%, roads and clearings - 2%, the rest - estates and other lands. The national park is located 60 km from the city of Yoshkar-Ola and 30 km from the city of Volzhsk. Its territory is crossed by the Yoshkar-Ola - Moscow railway and the Yoshkar-Ola - Kazan highway of republican significance.
Nature of the Mari Chodra National Park
The flora and vegetation of the park are diverse. Its territory is located on the southern border of coniferous-deciduous forests of the subtaiga zone, and in floristic terms, at the junction of the European and West Siberian provinces of the Euro-Siberian floristic region. The flora of this limited area includes 774 species and subspecies from 363 genera of 93 families, which is more than 67%. A number of taiga species, both European (Norway spruce) and Siberian (Siberian fir), are found here with elements of forest-steppes (summer oak) and steppes (feather feather grass).
Pine forests grow mainly on sandy and sandy loam soils and make up 27.7% of forests. Among them, pure green moss pine forests predominate, often with the participation of aspen, birch, and sometimes spruce. A special place belongs to sphagnum pine forests. Although their area is only about 600 hectares, they are an important component of the park's natural complex. Spruce forests are presented mosaically and occupy only 3.3% of the forest area. They may contain pine, birch, and aspen.
The park's flora includes about 50 rare species, which makes up 1/4 of the list of rare and endangered species of local flora. Among the species listed in the Red Book of the USSR (1984), there are the true slipper and the red pollenhead. Relict plants can be seen in sphagnum bogs: swamp chamarbia, Magellanic and stringroot sedges, white sphagnum, cotton grass, sundews. Some plant species have become endangered as a result of the disappearance of plant communities. For example, from the swamps - the marsh nappet, the unifoliate grasshopper, the compressed streamweed, the Lapland willow, and from the field - the common cockle. As a result of intensive exploitation, the endangered species include sandy cinnamon, pure white water lily, curly lily, Siberian iris, etc.
Animals of the Mari Chodra National Park
The park is home to many animals from the mixed forests of the European part of Russia. This is due to the ecological and trophic diversity of habitat conditions, as well as the geographical location of the park at the junction of natural zones. The fauna of the republic is quite well studied. However, a systematic study of the fauna of the national park has not yet been carried out. But if we exclude species that live in ecotopes unusual for the park (the forest-steppe part of the republic, the Volga valley, the Cheboksary reservoir), then we must assume that approximately 50 species of mammals, about 100 species of birds and 29 species of fish live in its lands.
Among mammals, the most numerous order is rodents. In the forests of the park, the squirrel and chipmunk, a recent eastern newcomer, are found from the squirrel family; from the mouse family - wood mouse, bank vole, yellow-throated mouse, etc. From the order of lagomorphs, the white hare is not uncommon, and the brown hare is occasionally found along the borders with fields. The order of carnivores is represented by the mustelid family: weasel, ermine, polecat, pine marten, European and, possibly, American mink - all are relatively small in number. The otter noted by Yushut is especially rare. Interestingly, mink sometimes hunts birds, in particular hazel grouse, by their voice. Of the felines, the lynx apparently enters. Elk are common in forests. Another representative of the artiodactyl order, the wild boar, is less common. In the lands of Mari-Chodry, especially in the Ileti floodplain, many bats live in hollows in overmature forests. Specially protected species include the otter and the beaver, which were brought from the Voronezh Nature Reserve and released into the republic’s lands in 1947. Interestingly, beavers were previously found on the Irovka, a tributary of the Ilet, but were exterminated.
The most common birds are passerines, whose life is associated with forests: jay, magpie, oriole, crossbills, pika, nuthatch, tit, etc. Birds from the order of woodpeckers should also be included here: great and lesser spotted woodpeckers, and the common woodpecker. In mixed forests with varied and dense undergrowth, representatives of the thrush family are common: field thrush, mistletoe, blackbird. Forest birds leading nocturnal and twilight lives, although less common, include the long-eared owl, the hawk owl, the great owl and the largest of the owl family, the eagle owl. The common nightjar is common. Among the grouse birds in the park, taiga species live: capercaillie (unfortunately, their numbers have sharply decreased) and hazel grouse. A resident of the forest-steppe and broad-leaved forests, the black grouse, lives in clearings and young growth. From the snipe family, woodcock is common; snipe and great snipe are less common due to the limited meadow-marsh spaces. The pigeon family is represented by the wood pigeon, the pigeon and the dove. The first two live in old oak forests on Maple Mountain and feed on acorns. The most common diurnal birds of prey are the buzzard, goshawk, and black kite.
No nesting eagles were found. But flights of the golden eagle - the largest eagle - are possible. Another rare feathered predator - the osprey - was noted along the river. Ilet, a little south of the park. Until recently, gray herons lived in the park: two pairs of herons nested in huge pine trees on the banks of the Ileti. Currently there are none. Of the waterfowl nesting birds in floodplain lakes and swampy channels, the mallard duck and teal are common; they are less common in reservoirs of sinkhole origin. Possible habitation of the goldeneye - a typical wood duck that makes nests in hollows. Seasonal bird concentrations are small. In the fall, diving ducks temporarily stop on the lakes, and in the spring, the flight over the flooded rivers is busier. In autumn and winter, bullfinch, waxwing, sometimes nutcracker, etc. migrate.
Birds: Woodcock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Clint, Black Kite, Osprey, Eagle Owl
Mammals: marten, elk, wood mouse, European mink, wood ferret
Insects: wood ant
If you notice an error, select the required text and press Ctrl+Enter to report it to the editors
Mari Chodra is a state natural national park in the Republic of Mari El.
Description of the national park
In 1985, the Mari Chodra Nature Reserve was established on the territory of the Mari El Republic. Its name can be translated as “Mari forest”. A reserve has been created to protect mineral springs and karst lakes.
The park territory is crossed by a railway and a highway. Therefore, getting to the reserve is quite easy. On the territory of the park itself there is a recreation center, a sanatorium and a tourist town. In addition, there are equipped parking areas on the shores of the lakes where you can pitch tents.
There are a lot of lakes on the territory of Mari Chodra, which are surrounded by dense forest. Moreover, all lakes are of karst origin. The depth of the local lakes reaches 40 m. The Ilet River, which is a tributary of the Volga, also flows through the park. The banks of the river are covered with mixed forest.
As for the flora, most of Mari Chodra is covered with pine trees. And oak groves can be found in the river floodplain and on hills. In addition, here you can see a number of plants that are listed in the Red Book. And in the forests you can find brown bear, elk, wood grouse and mink. Beavers and muskrats live in reservoirs. There are 56 species of mammals in the park.
But the main attraction of the park are the lakes. So, near the village of Yalchiksky there is Lake Glukhoe, which amazes tourists with its brownish water. Although the bottom of the lake is sandy, its shores are too steep for swimming.
But near Lake Kichier the shores are flatter and sandier. But the bottom is very muddy and the water is dark. In addition, the smell of hydrogen sulfide is sometimes felt. The lake is located in the Yalchen forestry. In addition to it, in this forestry there is also Lake Yalchik with sandy shores. Its bottom is sandy and the water is clear. But this lake is surrounded by a mixed forest, not a pine forest.
All other lakes are located in the Kerebelyak forestry. In this forestry there is both the Round Lake with clear and clean water, and the Black Lake with dark water and high banks. But the greatest interest among tourists is Lake Shungaldan, the water of which can be used for taking healing baths.
Next to this lake at the base of Maple Mountain there is a Green Spring with calcium sulfate water. As you understand, water from this source can be used for medicinal purposes. It is worth noting here that on Maple Mountain itself there is an oak tree, from the top of which Pugachev watched Kazan burning. Tsarist troops forced him to leave Kazan. It is believed that it was on Klenovaya Mountain that Pugachev’s detachment made a halt. In total, on the territory of Mari Chodra there are about 30 historical monuments, among which are religious places of the Neolithic era.
Please note that fishing and hunting are prohibited on the territory of the reserve. There are several routes of varying lengths for tourists here. These are mainly walking routes. But there are also bicycle, horse and car routes. In addition, those who wish can go kayaking down fairly fast rivers.
Zoning
The following functional zoning is currently accepted:
- The protected area is 7.6 thousand hectares (20.7% of the total area).
- The zone of extensive recreational use is 14.1 thousand hectares (38.6%).
- The zone of intensive recreational use is 13.9 thousand hectares (38.1%).
- Other territories - 1.0 thousand hectares (2.6%).
- The protected zone of the national park is 93.4 thousand hectares.
How to get there?
The park is located in the southeastern part of the Mari El Republic, in the basin of the Ilet River, a left tributary of the Volga, and is part of a strip of mixed forests in the forest zone.
A295 Yoshkar-Ola - Zelenodolsk - the M-7 Volga highway and the Zeleny Dol - Yaransk railway pass through the park.
