Visitors to the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve will be able to go on a kayak trip in 2010

November 19, Minsk / Olga Belyavskaya - BELTA /. Specialists of the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve are developing new water routes for tourists, Diana Simonovich, head of the reserve's ecological and tourist department, told a BELTA correspondent. Already next year, visitors to the reserve will be able to embark on an exciting kayak trip along the Berezina River. "The duration of the trips will vary - from one to three days," the interlocutor said. "During this time, tourists will be able to explore the most beautiful natural corners of the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, observe wild animals, and also see rare plants." If desired, trip participants will also be able to study the species diversity of the reserve's ornithofauna, and see rare birds such as harriers, kingfishers, and ospreys. A water route is also being developed, which includes a kayak trip along one of the sections of the historical route "From the Varangians to the Greeks," passing through Lake Plavno. "Here you will be able to see the remains of hydraulic structures, locks, and dams that are more than two centuries old," said Diana Simonovich. "You will also be able to learn a lot of interesting things about the nature of these places." Kayak trips will be organized in the summer-autumn period. The diversity of animal and plant life of the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, the beauty of its natural complex attract more and more tourists. In the first nine months of this year, the reserve was visited by about 23,000 people, which is 3,500 more compared to the same period last year. In addition to Belarusians, Germans, French, Dutch, and Russians also come here. With the increase in tourist flow, measures are being taken in the reserve to optimize the load on ecosystems and preserve rare species of animals, birds, and plants. The Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve is the oldest among the protected sites that make up the natural heritage of Belarus. Its natural complex is located on an area of 107.6 thousand hectares and includes various types of southern taiga forests, swamps, floodplain meadows, lakes, and rivers. Thanks to its biological diversity and the uniqueness of its natural complexes, the reserve is of exceptional significance not only for Belarus but for all of Europe. More than 2,000 species of plants have been recorded here, 78 of which are included in the Red Book of Belarus. -0-