THE FIRST ECOTRAIL OPENED IN THE NATIONAL PARK «ALANIA»
It took several months for the Project implementation. Route to the Galdoridon waterfall is 4 km long. The main Project’s goal is to provide an opportunity to see the Caucasus wild nature and unique landscapes, to understand historical and cultural heritage of highlanders and to tell about rare and Red Data book’ plants and animals of the Republic to broader audience. The key idea is that the ecological trail should not impacts on nature.
Ministry of Natural Resources of North Ossetia, WWF-Russia, Ferrero Russia, the National Park «Alania», and Irafsky District administration officials took part in the opening ceremony.
New natural trail creation is designed to attract attention to the WWF-Russia's Program of Persian leopard reintroduction in the Caucasus. Two leopards were released in the National park «Alania» in summer 2018.
«The National Park “Alania” is situated on crossroads of very important ecological corridors which connect western and eastern parts of the Greater Caucasus Range. Therefore, their integrity is crucial to sustain for successful implementation the Program of Persian leopard reintroduction. The National Park plays a pivotal role in eco-corridors’ maintenance, but it should be clear that the National Park performance depends on cooperation with locals. We have laid foundation for involving local people into joint conservation activities today», - Valery Shmunk, Director of the "Russian Caucasus" Ecoregion Office, WWF-Russia says
«We’re happy to do our part to such an important project», - Marina Tatarskaya, PR director «Ferrero Russia» company comments. – «We would like to conserve beauty and wealth of our planet for future generations, and this requires educating our children and teaching them to love and treat nature with care. We are very grateful to WWF-Russia team for their cooperation and support us at all stages of the Project.»
«It’s an important stage in eco-tourism development. We welcome guests and would like as many people as possible to know about our National Park, about unique nature of our Republic. Our actions are aimed at development of tourism, which doesn’t destroy, but enlightens and conserves nature», - Marat Gatziev, Director of the National Park "Alania" said.
From May to October - the best time to visit ecotrail. Nature of the landscape is most beautiful for visitors in this season.