Rustam Minnikhanov holds a field meeting on further development of the Blue Lakes area

On 15 September at the Big Blue Lake the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov held a field meeting on further development of the Blue Lakes area.

The work on improvement of the territory around the lakes started two years ago when bank protection measures were implemented, pedestrian paths, information pavilions with cafeteria were built, the pedestrian bridge was reconstructed and illumination was fixed. 

Speaking at the meeting, the head of the Department ”The  Directorate on Development of Nature Territories” Oksana Sargina reported about further plans for improvement of the Blue Lakes area, such as eco-gates with tourist services and limitations for transport entering the territory by building separate parking. In addition to pedestrian paths there will be information and livery pavilions, visit-centers and catering stations. 

With high anthropogenic load on the small area of the lakes, which is about 120 thousand tourists a year, the issue of lakes eco-rehabilitation is very important, she said. This load resulted in man-induced degradation and pollution of the ecosystem and to recover the unique flora and fauna of the lakes it is planned to implement bio-technical measures, Oksana Sargina concluded.

In his turn Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized that ecological recovery of water bodies is a priority. “Blue Lakes are unique natural treasure and our heritage. If we do not act now we are running the risk of losing them. It is necessary to organize all recovery activities,” he stated. 

The participants of the meeting also discussed issues of lakes management and monitoring. 

For information:

The Regional State Natural Reserve Blue Lakes was established in 1994 году and covers 2 thousand hectares of the right bank of the Kazanka River. It comprises the forestland and a system of karst lakes formed by strong springs.

The maximum depth of Big Blue Lake is 15.7meters and Small Blue lakes - 3-4meters with the water temperature permanent all year round.