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Radiy Habirov holds a meeting of the Board of Trustees for Region's Geoparks

In Toratau Congress Hall of Ufa, the head of the Republic Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov held a meeting of the Board of Trustees for Region’s Geoparks on December 10.

The participants discussed the perspectives of region’s development of geoparks and the creation of touristic infrastructure.

“We are the first in the world and on the post-Soviet space who created geopark Yangan-Tau in Salavat district. The fact that it entered the UNESCO Global Network of Geoparks is a very important victory for us," said Radiy Khabirov. “Now, in order for our geoparks to become a point of attraction for thousands of tourists, it is necessary to develop infrastructure, create high-quality services, engage in their improvement and information promotion.”

The Head of the Republic instructed the Ministry of Economic Development of the region to prepare a detailed roadmap for the development of Yangan-Tau and Toratau geoparks with the involvement of experts, scientific community, tourism, and small businesses.

“Today, we work for an important purpose to include Toratau in the global system of UNESCO,” told Radiy Khabirov, “We should do everything as soon as possible, if we want to be accepted in near future.”

The work on the formation of geoparks and the granting of UNESCO status to Yangan-Tau Geopark in the Republic of Bashkortostan was highly appreciated.

First Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Economic Development and Investment Policy of the region Rustam Muratov spoke about the plans for the development of Yangan-Tau and Toratau geoparks.

Yangan-Tau Geopark has identified three priority capital construction projects, the construction of which should be completed in 2022. These are the museum of geology "Golden Spike," ethnographic complex "Caravanserai" and Salavat Yulaev museum park. The issue of updating the engineering infrastructure of the Usolka River embankment in the village of Krasnousolsky in Gafuri district is also being worked on.

In total, the cost of creating the infrastructure of the two geoparks will amount to about 920 million rubles.

The deputies of the State Duma of Russia said that the lower house of the Russian parliament prepares amendments, which will allow to build roads on the territory of geoparks and develop infrastructure projects without harming nature.

The deputies said that they have identified three proposals. The first is the introduction of a bill on geoparks and geosearches. The second proposal is to amend the Forest Code of Russia, which establishes a permit for the construction of roads passing through forests and simplifies this procedure. The third is the consolidation of the concept of "ecotourism" in the legislation, which provides a careful attitude to nature.

“It is necessary to create a ladder for tourists on the mountain Toratau, if we want to save Red book plants,” added Radiy Khabirov.

Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan