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General information
The Tsentral`nosibirsky Zapovednik is intersected by the Yenisey Meridian, which divides the Western and Eastern Palearctic faunal zones. Extensive Siberian lowlands lie to its west and the more elevated Siberian Plateau to its east. Whereas the western plains are characterized by swamps and slow-flowing rivers, on the eastern plateau swift rivers have cut their way through rolling emerald hills. The upper parts of the plateau are forest-free and dominated by mountain tundra and ‘golets’ - bare rocky caps with sparse alpine or tundra vegetation. The lower parts are covered by taiga woodland of predominantly Siberian Pine (Pinus sibirica) and Siberian Larch (Larix siberica). Both are frost-resistant trees well adapted to withstand the harsh conditions of north Siberia.
The zapovednik plays an important role in long-term ecological monitoring and in research of the flora and fauna of Central Siberia. It runs several public outreach programmes promoting sustainable use of natural resources and ecotourism in the outskirts of the reserve. There are plans to open a visitor centre with a local museum in the village of Bor. The zapovednik also administers Yeloguisky zakaznik (habitat management area), where the main conservation objective is to preserve the traditional hunting grounds of indigenous Keto people (Kets). The zakaznik, which occupies 747,600 ha in the headwaters of Yelogui River (a tributary of Yenisey), represents a compact massif with typical landscapes and biodiversity of the Western Siberian Plateau.
Wildlife
Thanks to its geographical position on the border of the Western and Eastern Palearctic zones, and diverse landscapes (old-growth larch and Siberian pine forests, raised bogs, and rocky outcrops) the biodiversity of the reserve is much higher compared with typical Siberian taiga. Sable, squirrel, Siberian deer and brown bear inhabit the forests, a cold biome just south of the tundra where food is scarce for six months of the year and the temperature falls below freezing. 810 plant species are recorded here, including the beautiful Calypso orchid (Calypso bulbosa), Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium calceolus), Large-flowered Cypripedium (C. macranthum).
In late May and early June, a spectacular mass migration of birds can be witnessed here when tens of thousands of them head along the Yenisey to nest in the Artic north. Many like to stop at the lagoons and pools created by the thawing ice blocks and receding floods on the Yenisey, providing great opportunities to watch them – just as witnessed by the British ornithologist Henry Seebohm during his visit in 1877 and described in his book “Birds of Siberia”. Two of the best spots to see this exciting annual spectacle are the ranger’s station at Lebed (Swan) and the field station at Mirnoye (north of the zapovednik). Bird-watching is particularly nice and impressive at Lebed, where a temporary island is created during the flood period, luring thousands of birds to rest before their ultimate destination in the Artic. Many interesting birds such as Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), White-tailed Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) nest in the Reserve. 
The stretch of the Yenisey River protected within the nature reserve is one of the major spawning areas of Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baeri) and Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) – the smallest species of sturgeon. The tributaries of Podkamennaya Tungusska - a mighty river in its own right - are important spawning sites for the highly valued taimen (Hucho taimen), lenok (Brachymystax lenok) and Arctic Grayling (Thymallus articus) whose numbers are declining outside the reserve. Spectacular cliffs line both sides of the Podkamennaya Tungusska. In places, the softer sediments have been eroded by wind and rain, revealing fantastically shaped pinnacles of basalt. These grey-brown rock pillars beautifully contrast with the enthralling splendour of the northern Siberian taiga.
Indigenous people
Settlements were always established near rivers, which still play the major role in local transport. On the right bank of Podkamenaya Tungusska, near the southern border of the zapovednik, live Kets (also known as Yenisey Ostyaks). In the brilliant book ‘Land of Future’ written by the Norwegian polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen, they are described as a northern nation of great hunters and reindeer herders. It is almost unbelievable that this vanishing nation, now numbering less than 900 people, was once the major tribe which inhabited almost the entire Krasnoyarsk region. Unfortunately, during the Soviet period, their traditional lifestyles were eroded and native culture suppressed. They survive only in two small enclaves, in Sulomay (Red Rock) village at Podkamenaya Tunguska and in Kellog village at Yelogui River, 100 km north of the Yeloguisky zakaznik. Further in the east and north of the reserve live Evenks who are still involved in traditional activities as hunting, fishing and reindeer husbandry. 
On the edge of the Zapovednik (for example Bor and Bachta), there are also several settlements of ethnic Russian Old Believers (similar to the Amish people of the US and Canada). When in the 17th century significant changes were introduced in the worship of the Russian Orthodox Church, some believers refused to accept them and continued to worship in the "old way": speaking old Russian, reading old books and drawing old icons, crossing themselves with two fingers instead of three, and keeping their beards. Because of persecution, many fled to various less populated parts of Russia, including the Siberian wilderness, to re-establish their livelihoods. The Old Believers in Central Siberia, who traditionally have large families, are mostly occupied in hunting and fishing.
Things to do 
The isolation of the area offers travellers an unparalleled glimpse of true wilderness and traditional Siberian life. The zapovednik can offer several excursion itineraries, which allow viewing local wildlife, visiting settlements of native people, or letting you just relax, and soak up the natural beauty, or try some fishing (outside the reserve, of course).
During spring and autumn, immense bird migrations can be observed. The most suitable place for bird-watching is in the lagoons near the Mirnoye Ornithological Field Station, which is one of two such stations in Russia. The station, belonging to the Russian Academy of Sciences and operated year-round, offers not only accommodation and catering for bird-watchers, but it is also a great place to learn about and  experience the life in Siberia. For instance, the friendly staff (a resident family) can show how to trawl for fish in the Yenisey, lead interested visitors along the paths of the sable hunters in the taiga or show you extraordinary footage of the spectacular ice floating on the Yenisey during rasputitsa (a period of several weeks after winter when due to melting ice on the rivers the resulting cycles of floods precludes any overland transport across almost the whole of Siberia).
By request, interested visitors can join reserve rangers and participate in scientific research. They will be flown in by a helicopter (an extraordinary experience in itself) and can opt for a rafting trip on the white-water rivers inside the reserve. Such itineraries are true field expeditions. Thus accommodation is in simple log cabins and tents; meals are cooked on fire.
Information for visitors
Visitors can obtain detailed information and mandatory entry permits to the reserve by contacting the zapovednik administration. The zapovednik is a true wilderness environment, therefore we advise you to read the Visitors safety section on our website.
Tsentral`nosibirsky State Biosphere Zapovednik Administration
663 246 Bor, Gribnaya str 1, Turukhansky rajon, Krasnoyarsk region
Phone/fax: 7 39198 74 140 or 7 39198 74 301
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