New nature protection zones to be created in Kherson region

KhersonOblast is planning to expand its nature reserve fund, with two new nature reserves to appear in Beryslav district.

This was discussed during a working meeting of the Department of Environmental Protection of the Kherson Regional State Administration with representatives of the Kochubeevsky SBA.

It is about the creation of

• Pryhirskyi botanical reserve with an area of 393.5 hectares;
• Natalinsky botanical reserve with an area of more than 340 hectares.

According to experts, the territory of Pryhirskyi covers the terrace of the Ingulets River and adjacent gullies. It is proposed to be granted the status of a nationally significant site. At the same time, the Natalinsky reserve is planned to be created near the village of Natalino as an object of local importance.

It is noted that these territories have a unique landscape diversity and are part of the international Emerald Network of Ukraine. Rare plant communities and natural habitats of high conservation value have been preserved here.

Scientists from Kherson State University and representatives of the NGO Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group joined the discussion. They worked out the boundaries of future reserves and the legal regime of land use.

The meeting participants agreed that the creation of new nature reserves is necessary to preserve the region's biodiversity.

Following the meeting, the Kochubeyevo military administration was recommended to officially consider the issue of creating nature reserves. Implementation of the initiative will ensure long-term protection of natural complexes in Kherson region.

Earlier, Intent wrote that Kherson region approved the creation of a new botanical reserve "Karl Faltz-Fein's Ivanivka Economy" with an area of almost 295 hectares. Its goal is to preserve rare plants in the region and strengthen the region's nature reserve fund even in times of war.

It should be noted that in March 2023, Russia completed the seizure of theAskania-Nova Biosphere Reserve in Kherson Oblast, which was one of the biggest losses for the Ukrainian environment. Since then, the reserve, which is a unique natural site of global significance, has become a target of political and environmental exploitation.

Андрій Колісніченко