Applicatopn dossier for nomination as a European Geopark ...

«Bogdinsko – Baskunchaksky» Geopark
»
A Cultural Sustainable Tourist, Quality Rural District
Applicatopn dossier for nomination as a
European Geopark
Enclosure 3

INDEX
A. DEFINITION OF THE REGION BEING PROPOSED FOR NOMINATION AS A EUROPEAN GEOPARK
A.1. NAME OF THE REGION PRPOSED FOR NOMINATIONS AS A EUROPEAN GEOPARK………………………3
A.2. LOCATION……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...3
A.3. SURFACE AREA, GEOGRAPHICAL AND HUMAN STATISTICS
A.4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANISATION IN CHANGE OF THE REGION BEING PROPOSED FOR
NOMINATION AS A EUROPEAN GEOPARK …………………………………………………………………………….4
A.5. ENCLOSURES …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4
B. SCIENTIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE REGION BEING PROPOSED FOR NOMINATION AS A EUROPEAN
GEOPARK
B.1. DEFINITION OF THE GEOGRAPHIC REGION IN WHICH THE NOMINATED AREA IS LOCATED ………………….……5
B.2. GENERAL GEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION ………………………………………………………………………………….…….5
B.2.1. PLAN DENUDATSIONNAJA………………………………………………………………………………………..5
B.2.2. KARSTIC PROCESSES IN LAKE BASKUNCHAK VICINITIES …………………………………………………5
B.2.3. BOLSHOE BOGDO MOUNTAIN……………………………………………………………………………………6
B.2.4. FORMS OF ROKS EOLATION ON ROCKY SEDIMENTATIONS IN NEAR VICINITIES OF BOLCHOYE
BOGDO AND “SINGIN ROCKS” ………………………………………………………………………….6
B.2.6. THE HOLE SHARBULACK………………………………………………………………………………………….6
B.2.7. KARSTIC FORMS OF RELIEF………………………………………………………………………………………6
B.2.8. CAVES OF CORROSION – EROSION TYPE CAVE SHARBULACK…………………………………………….7
B.3. THE GEOLOGICAL PERIODS ………………………………………………………………………………………..10
B.4. GEOMORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES ………………………………………………………………………………..11
C. ARGUMENTS FOR NOMINATING THE TERRITORY AS A EUROPEAN GEOPARK
C.1. COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE TERRITORY'S POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOTOURISM…...13
C.2. OVERVIEW OF THE EXISTING GEOINSTITUTION AND GEO-ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION OF THE GEOPARK…….13
C.3. POLICIES FOR THE PROTECTION, ENHANCEMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE GEOLOGICAL
HERITAGE PRESENT IN THE TERRITORY. ……………………………………………………………………………………….…..13
C.4. THE TERRITORY'S INTEREST IN JOINING THE EUROPEAN GEOPARK NETWORK ……………………………………13
D. GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE TERRITORY
D.1. ECONOMICAL ACTIVITIES, DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIMARY STRUCTURES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY………………………………………………………………………………14
D.2. THE PROVISIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE TERRITORY……………………………………………………………14
D.3. PROTECTION STATUS OF THE TERRITORY…………………………………………………….……………………………..14
D.4. EXISTING FACILITIES……………………………………………………………………………….…………………………….14
D.5. FUTURE FACILITIES PLANNED………………………………………………………………………………………………….15
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A. DEFINITION OF THE REGION BEING PROPOSED FOR NOMINATION AS A UROPEAN
GEOPARK
A.1. NAME OF THE REGION PRPOSED FOR
NOMINATIONS AS A EUROPEAN GEOPARK:
The name that is proposed for the site applying to take
part in the EUROPEAN NETWORK of GEOPARK is
“BOGDINSKO-BASKUNCHAKSKY GEOPARK”. The
area lies within the borderline of the present Bogdisko-
Baskunchaksky reserve.
A.2. LOCATION
The geopark settles down in the south of Russia in the
western part of Near-Caspian lowland on a left bank of
the river of Volga within Ahtubinsky administrative area
of the Astrakhan area.
The geopark territory settles down in 50 kilometres
from an administrative centre of the given territory -
Ахтубинска. In immediate proximity from the given
territory on distance about 12 km settlements the
Verhny , Nigniy Bottom and Srednij Baskunchak settle
down.
Geopark area it is possible to reach railway and motor
transport. By train it is desirable which settles down in
15 kilometres from geopark will stop at station Verhny
Baskunchak, further journey is carried out by motor
transport. For Journey on the car the network of the
highways connecting an connect the Astrakhan and
Volgograd areas too can be used for journey to
geopark.
The nearest international airports settle down in the
cities of Astrakhans and Volgograd, located within 300
kilometres from geopark territory. This distance can be
overcome by the bus, a train, or the car on it will leave
about 4 hours.
A.3. SURFACE AREA, GEOGRAPHICAL AND
HUMAN STATISTICS
The area is in limits of Bogdinsko-Baskunchak
reserve. Its area makes 18478 hectares. The reserve
consists of two sites: Vicinities of salty lake
Baskunchak and mountain Big Богдо (16483
hectares) and a site «the Green garden» (2004
hectares). In all territory of geopark the economic
activities are not carried out, the given area is
especially protected territory.
Geopark holistic way
Our geopark policy is aimed to create a connection
between man, environment, culture, society and
geology in close agreement with the general
philosophy of the European Geoparks Network.
The geological diversity found within the geopark
offers great possibilities to demonstrate how geology is
able to influence the bio-diversity, animal breeding,
agriculture, communication and the very important
aspects of life and cultural evolution like the human
presence ever since pre-history and proto-history, and
the great epopee during which the exploitation of
gypsum and saltwas carried out.
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Population
The resident population of the District involved is equal
to 73152 in habitants (Istat, 2007). The average
population density is 9.3 inhabitants / sq.km.
In the last ten years the resident population of the
area, likewise for the total province population, has
been subject to a decreasing flux. Such trend however
results as a contrast, compared to the regional value
which is substantially stable.
B. Bogdo
Tourism
Despite presence of a considerable cultural heritage.
The tourist stream which concerns all area comes to
an end in the digital form bad.
Tourism in territory of Bogdinsko-Baskunchak reserve
has the big history and is developing branch. Here in
territory of Bogdinsko-Baskunchak reserve there are
the unique objects, capable to draw attention of
tourists. Those are nature sanctuaries: mountain Big
Bogdo, natural oundary a green garden, salty lake
Baskunchak and karstic caves in its vicinities.
No other geopark comparable to this in the
European Geopark Network.
Here there is unique in area денудационная a plain
complicated by various forms of a relief: funnels,
caves, beams which were formed throughout many

thousand years. It became possible as a result of
many transgressions of the Caspian sea which
promoted formation of the salty lake Baskunchak
largest in Europe. In territory of geopark it is a lot of
places where ancient adjournment leave on a day
surface, forming unique geological landscapes.
A.4 ORGANIZATION IN CHARGE OF THE
EUROPEAN GEOPARK ZONE
Bogdinsko-Baskunchakskiy Geopark – A Quality
Rural, Cultural,
Sustainable Tourist District
To resort to an associative District locally, represents
an attempt to put into a network all those factors
around a good idea as a precise, locally integrated,
sustainable development strategy and, at the same
time, the District is the strategic instrument to relaunch
those identity values that can be found within a
territory, as an evolved product of the interaction
between natural and cultural factors.
Thus it finds synthesis and development in the geotourism
and Geopark idea, for the revaluation and thus
the safeguard of the local rural heritage.
The District strategy can have a triple valence:
1.as an instrument to program the sustainable
development of the Bogdinsko-Baskunchakskiy area,
2.as an operational support to reposition that part of
the territory to a ready tourism,
3.as a hauling element for the area with a
highpotential, but that is not able to take off.
With the creation of the District, it is intended to
revalue and promote in a new way the territory of the
Bogdinsko-Baskunchakskiy Geopark and its
resources, proposing a geo-tourism development with
a series of “routes” that, at the same time, put in
evidence the natural geologic wine, gastronomy,
tourist and cultural values while creating a coordinated
and quality tourist-reception offer, even in
relation to complementary services.
А.5 ENCLOSURES
1. Evaluation Dossier
2. Letter of Commitmant
3. Application Dossier
4. Bibliograpfhy
5. Selection of booklets
6. Current perimeter map
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B. SCIENTIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE REGION BEING PROPOSED FOR NOMINATION AS A EUROPEAN
GEOPARK
of plasters кунгурского a circle, hundred is caused by
display hydrochloric тектогенеза. It has defined wide
development here alkali processes and, as
consequence, specific forms of a relief. In the
tectonic relation the territory represents the
Baskunchak hydrochloric file testing a modern
raising, and мульду, filled with lake Baskunchak. In
the last of 15-20 thousand years the site tested a
raising with a speed to 0,04-0,06 millimetres a year. It
testifies to high tectonic activity in platform conditions.
Structural features, history of geological development
and climate have defined a geomorphological
structure of territory. The site денудационной plains
with an absolute mark of 149,6 metres Here settles
down. The plain Denudatsionnaja corresponds to a
hydrochloric file and smoothly passes in
accumulative which surrounds lake Baskunchak.
B.1. DEFINITION OF THE GEOGRAPHIC REGION IN
WHICH THE NOMINATED AREA IS LOCATED
The lake Baskunchak and mountain Bolhoe Bogdo are
located in the western part of Near-Caspian lowland on
the left coast of the river Volga. The main element of
hydrography in the given area is the salty lake
Baskunchak, it in Near-Caspian lowland which area
makes of the largest lakes about 12 square kilometres.
It is a large hollow not having a drain, being in the
central part in which flow down superficial waters from
surrounding heights. At lake coast is more than 70
ravines. At east coast «Gorkaj Rechka» - the largest
source is located. The absolute mark of a surface of
lake Baskunchak makes-21,3 metre. The western coast
more abrupt also has developed овражную a part. In
area there are small fresh lakes. They represent falls in
a relief. As a whole vicinities represent hilly plain.
On the character the climate of the given area concerns
a climate of northern desert. In a cold season
continental polar air which arrives with east or юго east
winds here dominates. In the winter these winds cause
cold, and in the spring - droughty hot weather. This air
has small humidity and low temperatures. In a cold
season intrusion of Arctic dry and cold air which cause
the sharp cold snaps accompanied by a strong wind
from northwest, northern and to northeast directions is
periodically observed.
In summer and autumn months the field of the raised
pressure quite often broken by passage of cyclones,
moving on average widths is established. At this time
year, as well as in the winter, prevailing influence
remains behind continental polar air which happens dry
enough and прогретым, arriving here with northern,
northeast and east winds.
Considerable deposits are observed seldom and
basically are connected with an exit of southern
cyclones.
Air temperature has sharply expressed annual course.
The coldest months in this territory are February and
January. Average monthly temperatures of air almost
identical also make 8,6 and 8,5 degrees of Celsius of a
frost.
The average annual temperature of air is equal 8,2
degrees of Celsius. Высокте summer temperatures of
air are combined with sharp changes of temperatures
of day and night, and as in low temperatures of winter
During большей parts of year prevail northeast and
east winds, reaching a maximum in a cold season. In
November, December, January winds east, from
February till May - northeast prevail.
Within a year deposits drop out non-uniformly. The
greatest quantity of deposits drops out in December -
26,5 mm, the least - in February - 18,3 mm.
B.2. GENERAL GEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION
In the modern geological plan the area represents the
arch of the large Baskunchak hydrochloric file
surrounded межкуполными with hollows. Feature of a
geological structure is presence near to a day surface
5
Bolshoe Bogdo mountain
B. 2.1. Plain Denudatsionnaja.
The plain Denudatsionnaja occupies a considerable
part of territory round lake. Its absolute marks go
down from periphery in a direction to lake from 19,7
metres to 0 metres. During the period
раннехвалынской transgressions all territory has
been covered by the sea. Only the mountain Bolhoe
Bogdo with an absolute mark of 49-50 metres
towered in the form of island.
B. 2. 2. Karstic processes in lake Baskunchak
vicinities
Karstic forms of a relief around lake Baskunchak are
caused by an exit on a day surface осадочных
breeds old paleozoic the age, presented ander perm

plasters kungurian a circle. Plasters are lifted on a day
surface owing to hydrochloric tectonics and make the
top part Hydrochloric dome a file in which modern
karstic processes intensively proceed.
B 2.3. Bolshoe Bogdo mountain
The height above the sea level is 149,6m. It is the
highest point of Pricaspian lowland.
Flank processes are observed on the most raised
sections, especially in the area of Bolshoye Bogdo.
Under the action of temporarily arising trickles,
gravitational forces, wind the drift of superficial rocks
and formation of delluvial aprons with the capacity up to
10-15m occurs.
Thus, on hollows of a drain and gullies the drift of rocks
with denudation plains onto accumulative ones and
directly into the lake Baskunchack occurs. As a result of
Khvalynian sediments more ancient rocks frequently
submitted by gypsums drift onto the surface of the
mountain.
The lake Baskunchack
B 2.4. Forms of rocks eolation on rocky
sedimentations in near vicinities of Bolshoye
Bogdo and « Singing rocks»
In conditions of arid climate physical eolation and eolian
processes are actively shown that results the formation
of outliers of destruction, cellular forms. In separate
places dense rocks collapse even up to sandy
sediments. Wind makes deflation, corrosion, it sorts
sand, carries out finer particles far beyond their initial
distribution.
B 2.5. The lake Baskunchack
Baskunchack is the salty lake having the area about
115 km ². It is situated in the area of Ahtubinsk
(Astrakhan region), geographical coordinates: 48°10’
northern latitude, 46°53’ eastern longitude/48,166667°
northern latitude, 46,883333° eastern longitude,
approximately in 270km to the north from the Caspian
sea, and in 53 km to the east from Volga.
Shore line in the lake is 21m below the sea level. Water
in the lake is replenished with a help of the small river
Gorkaya, area of a reservoir of which is 11000 km ²,
and with a help of 25 springs. Salinity of the lake is
about 300 gram per litre. Capacity of salt superficial
deposits in the lake is 10-18 m. As a result of salt
6
extraction craters with the depth up to 8 meters were
formed. The depth of salt bedding is 6 km. In spring
and in autumn the level of brine in the lake is
maximal - up to 1 meter. In brine bacteria which bear
salt live only.
Since VIII century salt was extracted from the lake
and sent along a Silky way.
For the first time the lake Baskunchack is officially
mentioned in 1627 in « The Book of Big Drawing »,
the first geographical description of Russia as a
place, « where people extract salt pure as ice ».
Today extremely pure salt of lake (99.8 % NaCl)
forms up to 80 % from the general extraction of salt in
Russia. Depending on need, from 1,5 up to 5 million
tons of salt in a year are extracted here. For export of
salt the Baskunchack railway was constructed.
At the lake coast there are deposits of medical caolin.
B 2.6. The hole Sharbulack
The section is situated on the southern coast of the
lake Baskunchack, to the east of mountain Bolshoye
Bogdo. It is characterized by the presence of various
forms of the karstic phenomena: caves, craters,
gaps, gullies, cracks, etc.
B 2.7. Karstic forms of relief
The karst in the area of Baskunchack is caused by an
output of sedimentary rocks позднепалеозойского
age, submitted by bottom Permian gypsums of the
Kungurianstage, onto the earth surface. Gypsums
are lifted on a day time surface owing to hydrochloric
tectonics; they represent the top part of the salt
cupola massive in which present karstic processes
intensively proceed.

Karstic gypsums border a bowl of the lake
Baskunchack non-uniformly. I.V.Golovachyov offered
the following allocation of karstic fields. Northern field
surrounds a bowl of Baskunchack from the west, the
north and the northeast. It is conditionally shared into
three parts: western – from the gully Belaya (Ak -
Dzhar) to the south and west in borders of Kungurian
gypsums extension; northern (or central) field extends
from the gully Belaya to the east up to the lake Karasun
and to the north up to the lake Turgaj; the east field
extends to the northeast coast of the lake Baskunchack
between the river Gorkaya and the lake Karasun. The
east field is bordered from the northern field by the river
Gorkaya and also lasts to the east in borders of
Kungurian gypsums extension. It consists of two
detached closely spaced sections: Vac - Tausk and
Tasbulack. The southern field is located on the
southern coast of Baskunchack, to the east of Bolshoye
Bogdo. Except for these three karstic fields the karstic
removed and detached Cub- Тausk section is allocated.
In the territory of the lake Baskunchack vicinities there
are following forms of a karstic relief:
1. The negative superficial forms of the given area
karstic relief are: corries, craters, hollows, gullies.
2. Gypsum hills with the height of up to 4,0 - 6,0m.,
extended from the northeast to the southwest on the
northern and the northeast coast of the lake
Baskunchack.
3. Grottoes, niches, shelters (Transitive forms from
superficial karstic forms to underground ones). On the
researched area, within the limits of the northern
gypsum field there are three grottoes: "Lisiy",
"Koljuchiy" and "Sharovskoy".
4. To underground karstic relief in the given area the
following forms can be concerned: karst cracks, karstic
wells and caves.
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Karst cracks are the most typical for the natural
boundary Sharbulack on the southern gypsum field,
and also for the central part of the northern gypsum
field. Tectonic cracks (formed owing to salt domn
tectonics) are poorly treated by karstic processes.
Mainly they are strongly attached to the raised
sections raised and gypsum hills. The width of
cracks, as a rule, is not great (up to 0,4 - 0,6m.).
They have the depth up to 4,0 - 6,0m., and even
more. So, the disconnected crack «Grelka", has the
depth up to 12,5m. Bottoms of cracks are usually
filled by detrital gypsums and friable alluvial sandy
material.
Karst wells. To karstic wells, the vertical cavities
connected to the zone of vertical descending
circulation of karstic waters concern. Depth of wells is
up to 20,0m. Wells of the given area have a
corrosion-erosive origin. They can be fragments of
buried cavities, or the expanded channels of well -
imaginative swallow holes. Wells are available in the
central part of the northern gypsum field. Depth of
them, as a rule, is not great - about 4,0 - 6,0m, width
is about 1,0 - 2,0m, cross section is roundish. On
subsurfaces channel corries can be met.
B 2.8. Caves of corrosion – erosion type
Cave Sharbulack.
The entrance is situated in the natural hole
Sharbulack, in the edge of karst-erosive hollow; it
opens with a small descending window. The cave
represents a twisting horizontal tailrace channel
underrated in the distant part. The height of the
entrance reaches 1,5m. The extension of the cave is
about 40m. The maximal depth of the cave bedding
from the steppe level is about 30m. In 2007 owing to
entrance failure the cave became inaccessible for
visiting.
Cave Grobick. The entrance is situated in the natural
hole Sharbulack in gypsum exposure. The cave
represents a vertical crack with a horizontal bottom.
Between vertical walls in 4,5m above the floor there
is a large wedged gypsum block which teared off the
arch and looks like a coffin. The maximum height of
the entrance is 7,5m. Before the creation of the state
reserve the cave had been actively visited by tourists.
Cave Cherep. The entrance of the cave is situated in
the natural hole Sharbulack, in a slope of karstic
crater; it is submitted with a small entrance grotto
with a height of 2,5m and width of 3m. In the depth of
the grotto the block with the inscription and the image
of a skull with bones is located. In the beginning of
the last century the cave was named « Forty doors ».

The cave is situated in gypsum and represents the
large landslide underground hall complicated with large
blocks. Before the creation of the state reserve it had
been actively visited by tourists.
Cave Natechnaya. This cave is situated in the same
crater as Cherep but on the opposite slope. It
represents a large vertical crack (max. height up is to
5m, width is up to 2,5m), with one small entrance -
manhole, decorated with a white gypsum bark of
secondary crystallization. Before the creation of the
state reserve it had been actively visited by tourists. It
has been known since 1969.
Cave November, 8. It is situated in the natural hale
Sharbulack. It was found in 1985. The entrance to the
cave is located in a slope of karstic crater. The cave
represents a descending crack in gypsum rock.
General extent is about 30m. The depth from the
steppe level is 13,3m.
Cave March, 8. The entrance is the horizontal channel
of roundish section leaving under the basis of a gypsum
exposure in the western slope of karstic crater. Further
the cave runs along cracks deep into the massive as a
narrow horizontal way. It is narrow, difficultly passable
and short. It is seldom visited. It was found in 1968.
Cave Familnaja. It is located in the natural hole
Sharbulack. It represents a large vertical crack (max.
height up is to 5m, width is up to 2,5m), with one small
entrance - manhole, decorated with a white gypsum
bark of secondary crystallization. The height of the
manhole is about 8m. The extent is about 20m. The
width is 0,6-0,8m. It is very seldom visited. The
entrance is obstructed. The cave is found in 1968.
Cave Vodjanaja - 1. It is located in the natural hole
Sharbulack in the basis of a slope karstic crater. The
extent of the cave is about 10-12m, the width is 1-1,5m
and the height is 2,5m. The cave obliquely runs to the
bottom and tooks to the small lake with the area of
about 4m and the depth up to 2,5m. It was found in
60th years.
Cave Vodjanaja - 2. It is located in the natural hole
Sharbulack. The entrance represents a narrow
extended window following to a cavity. The extent of a
cave is about 38m. In the cave there are two small
lakes with the area of 10m and 6,7m, the depth is up to
1,5m and up to 3,5m accordingly. It was found in 1989.
Cave Dlinny razlomchick. It is situated in the natural
hole Sharbulack. The entrance is located on the slope
8
of a karstic crater. The cave represents a vertical
crack with the inclined sandy floor and blindly coming
to the end in the distant part. The extent is about
16m. The height is up to 3,5m, width is 0,5-0,6m. The
cave was found in 1989.
Cave Gluboky razlomchik. It is situated in the
natural hole Sharbulack. The entrance is located in a
karstic well. The cave represents a vertical
descending crack in gypsums, the depth is up to 10m
and its width is about 0,5m. The cave was found in
2002.
Cave Аstrahanka. It is situated in the southwest part
of the natural hole Sharbulack. The entrance is
located on the slope of a karstic hollow, in the basis
of a gypsum exposure. The extent is about 20m. The
average height of the manhole is about 2-2,5m. It
was found in 2000.
Cave Obmanka. It is situated in the southwest part of
the natural hole Sharbulack. The entrance is located
on the slope of a karstic hole, in the basis of gypsum
exposure. The maximal depth of the cave bedding
from the steppe level is 21,3m. The extent is about
16m. The average height of the manhole is about 1-
1,3m. The width of it is about 2-2,5m. The size of the
cave entrance is 2,7 X 2,1m. It blindly comes to a low
manhole. It was found in 2000.
Cave Sharovskaya - 1. It is situated on the western
coast of Baskunchack. The entrance is located in a
gypsum exposure (east exposition) and represents a
narrow vertical crack running to the cavity. The basic
part of this cave is submitted by the underground hall
of a landslide origin. The hall has sizes of 8-5,5m.
Height of a hall is up to 4,5m. The floor of a cave is
filled up with blocks and pieces of gypsum. It is
located in immediate proximity from a day time
surface. It was found in 1995.
Cave Sharovskaya - 2. It is situated on the western
coast of Baskunchack. The entrance is located in a
gypsum exposure of karstic crater southern slope.
The cave is submitted by bursiform poorly
descending cavity, in distant bottom part of which
there is a small lake with the area of about 15m2,
with the depth of 1,5m. The extent of the cave is
about 11m. The depth from the surface level is 10m.
It was found in 1995.
Cave Sharovskaya - 3. It is situated on the western
coast of Baskunchack. The entrance is located in a
gypsum exposure and represents a narrow horizontal

crack through which it is possible to get in a cavity. The
cave is low (0,7-0,8m) and wide (up to 4m), with the
plane sandy bottom, almost without detrital gypsum
material. The extent of the cave is about 12m. The
depth from the surface is about 7m. It was found in
1995.
Cave Baskunchakskaya. It is the largest cave in
Northern PriCaspian. It is situated in the small flat
bottom valley Pezherskaya. It has been known for
about 100 years. The case has three entrances. It is
laid in the Perm gypsums of Kungurian stage. It is
developed on a vertical crack of submeridional
direction. Its extent is about 1480m. The depth from the
surface level is 32m. Its volume is about 9400 cube. M.
In a cave there is a underground lake the area about 10
cubic meters. The cave was investigated by the
Saratov cave explorers in details in the beginning of
80th years.
Cave Devjat dyr. The cave is situated in the balka
Pezchernaja. It is laid in karstic rest and located in a
large karst-erosive hollow. It was a part of the cave
Baskunchakskaja earlier. The total extent of the cave is
about 70m. As a whole the arch of the cave closely
comes to the surface. The amplitude of the cave is
0,6m. The cave has many entrances of various sizes. It
is easily accessible, that is why it is actively visited. The
cave has been known for a long time. For the first time
it was described by the Saratov cave explorers in the
beginning of 80th years.
Cave Оrgannaya. It is located in the middle part of the
balka Belaya. The entrance is located in the basis of a
gypsum slope (east exposition) of northern from the
top. The general extent of the cave is 22m at the
relative depth is about 1m. The height of the arch is up
to 2,5m. The depth of bedding from the steppe level is
about 10m. It was found and for the first time described
in the beginning of 80th years.
Cave Surprise. It is located to the north of the Belaja
balka. The entrance is dated to a karstic hollow and
opens with a steeply inclined 16-meter manhole. It runs
to the hall with the area of about 16m2 and height up to
3m. From the hall a very dirty channel, which length is
about 28m, runs. Earlier in the middle of a channel
there was a small lake with the area of 6m2 and depth
up to 1,5m. Since 2001 it has not present. The general
depth of a cave is up to 20m. It was found and for the
first time described in the beginning of 80th years.
Cave Nevidimka. This cave is situated on the north of
the Belaja balka. The entrance is in the southwest part
of the abrupt southern slope of karstic crater. The cave
begins with the small chamber from which the manhole
dives down and deduces into a vertical crack. The
depth of this cave is about 10m. The entrance is usually
buried with adjournment of steppe vegetation ("roll -
field") and also hardly acceptable. It was found in 1989.
Cave Metro. This cave is situated in upper reachers of
Belaja balka. The entrance is located in the basis of the
large karst-erosive hollow southern slope. The cave
represents tailrace tunnel with the extent of about
100m. The cave was found in 1989. At the moment of
detection the height of the manhole was 1,5m. For the
next years it was buried with sandy - loam adjournment
9
owing to a sliding of a hollow slope. Again it was
opened in 2001. The height of the manhole now is
about 1m.
Cave Chabanskaya. The entrance is located in a
blind karstic ravine. The general extent of this cave is
82m. It was found and surveyed by cave explorers in
1988. Now it is inaccessible owing to entrance failure.
It was situated in immediate proximity from a day
time surface.
Cave Crystalnaya. It is located on the northern coast
of Baskunchack. It is the second largest cave on the
given area. The cave begins with 15m - long well,
running to the hall Holodny in the height up to 3m and
sizes of 4 х 2,5m. Then the low manhole deduces to
the hall Teply. The sizes of this hall are 16,5 х 9m at
average height of about 2,5-3m. Further the cave
comes to the end with 30m – long manhole. The
depth of the cave from the steppe level is 30m. The
cave is plentifully decorated with a white bark of
secondary gypsum crystallization. At present here
there is a small cave lake with the area of up to 2 m2.
The cave is interesting due to various forms of
crystallization of cave minerals. It was found in 1986.
Cave Albina. It is situated on the northern coast of
Baskunchack. The entrance is located in 2,5m above
a bottom of karstic crater, in its east slope. The depth
of the cave from the steppe level is about 7m. Its
extent is about 12m. The average height is 1m, width
is 3-3,5m. The cave was found in 1995.
Cave Mihajlovskaja. It is situated on the north coast
of Lake Baskunchack. The entrance is located 4m
below the steppe level and 2,5m above the bottom of
the karstic crater. The cave depth is about 25m from
the steppe level. The extent is about 35m. It is
interesting due to the presence of 6m - depth well
with the diameter of 2 m. It is complex and dangerous
for passage, therefore the entrance is immured. It
was found in 1998.
Cave Bolshoy Tupic ("Blind"). It is situated on the
northern coast of Lake Baskunchack. The cave has
the large arch entrance located on the basis of a
karstic crater slope. The cave is submitted by the
fragment of the large channel, blindly coming to the
end with the impasse. The extent is about 13m. The
cave was found in 1986.
Cave Pervomajskaja. It is situated on northeast
coast of Baskunchack and south - west of Lake
Karasun. The entrance is located in a blind karstic

avine, in the basis of a gypsum exposure. The cave is
submitted with tailrace channel. The general extent of
the cave is about 65m; its depth from the surface is
about 14m. It was found in 2001.
Cave Grelka. It is situated in the central part of the
northern gypsum field. The cave represents vertical,
opening on the surface, crack with the depth up to 12m
and width of 0,4-0,5m. At the bottom of the crack snow
is kept till the summer. Among similar and accessible to
passage cracks this cave is the deepest. It was found in
1988.
Cave Krestik. The entrance is located in a gypsum
exposure at the bottom of a large karst-erosive hollow.
The cave begins at the bottom of superficial well. It is
formed by crossing of two vertical cracks. The
max.height of the arch is up to 6m. It was found in
1990.
Cave Karman. The cave is located in the natural
hollow Vak-Tau in the basis of a karstic crater slope.
The cave represents a low, wide, blindly coming to the
end cave – manhole with the extent up to10m. It was
found in autumn, 1990.
Cave Deniskina. The entrance to the cave is located in
the basis of a karstic crater slope. The cave begins with
a small manhole deducing to the underground chamber
with the diameter of about 3m and height up to 1,4m.
From it is possible to get into the cross linearly
extended manhole with a height up to 2m and length of
about 16m. It was found in 1995.
Cave Skladskaja. The entrance is located in the
central part of the karstic hollow formed due to merge
of two craters. The cavity is submitted with low
chamber near the entrance with a diameter of about 2-
2,5m and height of 0,8-1,0m. Further there leaves a
manhole with a diameter of 0,4-0,5m which through 6m
comes to the end with a small chamber with a height of
1,3m and width of 1m. It was found in autumn of 1990.
B 3. The geological periods
The following complexes of rocks participate in the
geological structure of territory.
Paleozoic erathem
The Perm system
The bottom division
Kungurian stage. Outlets of Kungurian adjournments on
a day time surface are known in a vicinity of
Baskunchack along balks Sinia, Pezchernaja and in the
natural hollow Spher - Bulak.
In a cut three packs are precisely allocated: the bottom
is sulfate - terrigenous, the average is halogen and the
top is sulfate – terrigenous too. Lithologically this pack
is submitted by anhydrites, argillites, sections with
individual prolayers of salt and aleurolites. The capacity
of this pack is 80-150m.
The halogen pack is combined mainly by stone salt,
sulfur, light grey, middling-and large crystal, with
inclusions of anhydrite, separate large units of which
have the extended form and transformations of
intensively expressed processes of stone salt in post
sedimentational period.
In halogen thickness there are prolayers and lenses of
anhydrites, argillites, less often aleurolites. Argillites are
dark grey, aleurolite with a big maintenance of carbided
10
organic chemistry. Sandstones and aleurolites are
dark grey, fine-grained.
Top sulfate - terrigenous pack is deposited on salt
and is combined by anhydrites with subordinated
layers of clays, limestone, aleurolites, stone salt. Its
capacity is 40 - 80m. On this pack the crucial
importance was rendered by secondary processes,
first of all by erosion.
Mesozoic erathem
Triassic system
The bottom division
vetluzchskaya series. On the mountain Bolshoje
Bogdo vetluzchskoye adjournment consists of
conglomerate-sandy and sandy-argillaceous
thicknesses (from below upwards). The bottom
thickness with the capacity of about 90m consists of
oligomict sandstones, mainly quartz,
разнозернистых sandstones, more often finegrained,
red - brown, green-grey. Sandstones pass in
gravelites and finely cut conglomerates. Pebbles of
conglomerates consist of quartz, red and grey - color
sandstones, aleurolites, clays and limestone. On a
rough surface of sandstones thickness of clays with
subordinates of low-power (up to 1m) prolayers of
aleurolites and sandstones is deposited.
Geological cut of B.Bogdo
Baskunchack series. In the section of mountain
Bolshoje Bogdo the conglomerate is established. In
the cut of баскунчакской series characterized by
terrigenous - carbonate structure, from below three
packs are allocated upwards: clay, clayey-carbonate
and sandy-argillaceous. The bottom part is submitted
with clays with the subordinated prolayers of
sandstones, aleurolites, less often limestones. Clays
are brown - red, dark brown with bluish-gray spots,
aleurite, and carbonate, not clear layered, and
combined with fine clay.
Overlying clayey-carbonate pack is combined by
alternation of clays, carbonates with rare prolayers of
aleurolites and sandstones. Clays are grey, greenishand
brownish-grey up to dark grey, weakly
carbonate, aleurite.
A sandy-argillaceous pack crowns the cut of
Baskunchask series .
Cretaceous system
Outputs of cretaceous adjournment on a day time
surface are known in the area of the lake
Baskunchack, in hollows Belaja, Sinaja, Pezchernaya
and natural boundaries ShChigrety.
The top division
Cretaceous outcrops are known in the northwest part
of the lake Baskunchack area (in hollows Belaja,
Sinaja, Pezchernaya). They are deposited with
washout on spreading early Cretaceous
adjournments and are characterized mainly by
carbonate structure. The capacity of late Cretaceous
adjournment reaches 624m.
Cenomanian stage. Cenomanian formations, being
deposited transgressivly on the spreading
adjournment, have a wide circulation. Lithologically

they are expressed by clay - siltstone thickness, on the
separate areas with prolayers of marl.
Turonian and conjac stages. Adjournments of these
stages have universal development. They are
deposited with washout on spreading cenomanian
formations and lithologically they are expressed by
white, strong pelitomorphic and organogenic -
pyroclastic limestones.
Santonian stage. Santonian adjournments have a wide
circulation. The bottom sublevel is combined by
limestones of light grey colour, sometimes with a
greenish shade, fractured. In the west of the examined
area prolayers of marls and clays are traced. In the
basis of the cut the conglomerate submitted by a
pebble of phosphorites, consolidated with caebonate
cement is deposited.
Early santonian sublevel is submitted by silica clays of
grey and dark grey colours, layered, with interlensing of
siltstone. In the roof of the cut following limestones are
deposited: dark grey, carbonate, with prolayers of
aleurolites.
Campania stage. Campanian formations have universal
distribution and deposited with washout on spreading
adjournment. The bottom sublevel is expressed by
limestones of grey, greenish-grey, clay, pelitomorphic,
with prolayers one-colour marls.
Early Campanian sublevel is submitted by clays of dark
grey colour, calcareous, aleurite, with prolayers of
marls and limestones.
Cainozoic erathem
Quaternary system
Quaternary adjournments are submitted by alternation
of layers of sand and clays with prevalence in the cut of
the last ones and subdivided into Khvalynian and
modern adjournments.
The list of rocks
1. Anhydrite
2. Argillite
3. Table salt
4. Aleurolite
5. Clay
6. Limestone
7. Sandstone quartz
8. Marl
9. Gypsum
B. 4 Geomorphological features
The area of Bogdo and Baskunchack occupies the
special position in geological structure. It is located in
the northeast part of the Northwest PriCaspian in
vicinities of the lake Baskunchack and mountain
Bolshoye Bogdo. The special feature of a geological
structure is the presence near to a day time surface of
gypsums of Kungurian stage that is caused by the
display of hydrochloric tectogenesis. It has defined here
the wide development of leaching processes and, as a
result, specific forms of relief (craters, hollows, caves
and others). Authors paid special attention to studying
of these relief forms.
In the tectonic relation the territory represents
Баскунчакский hydrochloric massive experiencing a
11
modern rising, and mould, filled with the lake
Baskunchack. In one of exposures of Ubo hill
(vicinities of the settlement Nizchny Baskunchack a
layer of early Khvalynian clay with deformation up to
1-1,5m ) is traced. For the last 15-20 thousand years
the section has been uplifted with a speed of up to
0,04-0,06mm per year that testifies the high tectonic
activity in platform conditions.
Structural features, history of geological development
and climate have defined geomorphological structure
of researched area. There is a unique presence in
the Northwest PriCaspian of denudation plains with
the absolute mark of 149,6m. The denudation plain
refers to a hydrochloric massive and smoothly
passes to accumulative plain, which outlines the lake
Baskunchack. The mould is occupied with the lake
and earlier it was considered as compensatory one.
But during the last decade in connection with the
active extraction of salt, the mould bowing is not
compensated by salt accumulating. Therefore a
surface of salt in the center of lake caves in about a
minus of 21,2 m. in 90th of XX century up to a minus
of 22 m in 2004.
The peneplain occupies a significant part of territory
the around the lake. Absolute marks of it go down
from periphery in the direction of lake from 149,6m.
Prevailing modern relief forming processes are
fluvial, karstic and processes of physical aeration.
As a result of linear erosion hollows of a drain are
formed. In total more than 70 hollows run into the
lake.
Other remarkable form of a relief is gullies with the
extent from several up to ten and more meters.
Especially quickly they develop in ruts of roads after
showers.
On flat slopes of low raisings sections of a plane
drain with the area from several square meters up to
several tens square meters are formed. On hollows
of a drain and gullies drift of rocks from the peneplain
to accumulative one and directly to the lake
Baskunchack occur. As a result Khvalynian
adjournments are drifted and more ancient rocks
frequently submitted by gypsums come onto the
surface.
Special interest is represented by karstic forms of a
relief. The karst area of Baskunchack, according to
A.G.Chikisheva and N.A.Gvozdetskogo's
classification concerns to PriBaskunchack karstic
district of Western - PriCaspian karstic province of
PriCaspian karstic area of the East Europe karstic
country.
The karst area of the lake Baskunchack is caused by
the exit onto a day time surface of sedimentary rocks
of late Paleozoic age, submitted by late Perm
gypsums of Kungurian stage. Gypsums are lifted
onto a day time surface owing to hydrochloric
tectonics and make the top part of the salt dome
massive in which modern karstic processes
intensively progress and which is the most accessible
to researches. Karstic gypsums border the bowl of
Baskunchack non-uniformly.
Karstic gypsums are strongly dim from a surface and
are blocked by a thin cover of adjournment.

Overlapping rocks are submitted, as a rule, by sandy
loams and loams of Khvalynian age. N.A.Gvozdetsky
(1981) refers the karst of this area to the covered type.
At the same time there are also local sections of the
open karst. They basically are characteristic of large
karstic-erosive hollows of a superficial drain (Belaja,
Pezcherskaja, Sharovskaja) and natural hollow
Sharbulak.
For the area of lake Baskunchack G.V.Korotkevich
gives the size of karst forming activity - 3,25mm / year.
The karstic relief of the area of lake vicinities develops
from superficial and underground karstic forms.
To superficial forms of karstic relief on the given area it
is possible to include craters and hollows.
The largest forms of the karstic superficial relief in the
given area are karst-erosive hollows of a superficial
drain. They are developed basically on the western part
of the northern gypsum field.
To underground forms of a karstic relief in the given
area can be referred karstic wells and caves. To karstic
wells vertical cavities connected to a zone of vertical
descending circulation of karstic waters concern.
The largest karstic cave of PriCaspian lowland is
"Baskunchakskaya". According to the Saratov section
of speleology the cave has the extent of 1480,0m, the
maximal depth is about 32,0m, its volume is about
9400,0m3. It is situated on the northwest coast of
Baskunchack in top reaches of the superficial drain
Pezcernaja.
Cave "Baskunchakskaja" has some inputs and
concerns to the type of horizontal through (through
passage) caves; it has been known for more than
hundred years. It is actively visited nowadays.
Golovachev I.V. describes three tens caves in
gypsums with the extent of more than 10,0km., but only
7 of these caves are examined and there are published
data about them.
The accumulative plain adjoins to the lake
Baskunchack. According the geomorphological
expressiveness it is subdivided into two subtypes:
gently-wavy which is deposited on the hypsometric
level 0 - minus 10m and flat located on absolute marks
from minus 10m up to minus 21,2m (isohypse, outlining
the lake).
The flat sinuosity of the plain of higher hypsometric
level is caused by non-uniform accumulation of
deposits, drifted from peneplains and the differentiated
display of hydrochloric tectogenesis.
From the surface the plain is combined by early
Khvalynian adjournments which are blocked from
above by dealluvial ones, with the impurity of chippings,
brought from the mountain and adjoining to peneplains.
The flat plain is a part of the lake bottom and is
combined from a surface by oozy deposits of a lake
origin with the impurity of small salt crystals.
The width of accumulative plain varies from 3km in the
settlement Nizchny Baskunchack is up to 0,5km in the
southwest part. The relief is complicated with hollows of
a drain which through peneplains cross the
accumulative plain.
Lake Baskunchack is a unique form of a relief - mould,
filled with halogen type of deposits. Prior to the
beginning of industrial development of salt the whole
12
surface of lake represented a dense salt layer.
Geophysical investigation has shown that salt is
deposited up to the depth of 600m, but deep from the
surface it alternates with sand, clay. In the plan the
lake has the wrong form with the general orientation
in a northwest direction. The extent of the lake on the
big axis is 18 km, the general area is 106 км2. The
significant part of the lake area (60 %) as a result of
salt extraction is occupied by broken zones. These
zones represent sections from which salt is taken up
to the depth of 8m. Broken zones are filled with brine
with a mineralization of 300 g/l. Natural process of
salt accumulation is broken.

C. ARGUMENTS FOR NOMINATING THE TERRITORY AS A EUROPEAN GEOPARK
C.1. COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE TERRITORY'S
POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOTOURISM
Due to the considerable presence of sites with
geological, naturalistic and archaeological interest, the
Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky reserve has notable
potential for the development of Geotourism. The
onservation and evaluation of the lithological and
morphological characteristics takes on an important
scientific value.
These elements condition the geological evolution of
the area. The area is well known in the tourist market
because of the tourist resort Salty lake Baskunchak and
not least the majestic mountain Bolhoe Bogdo.
Optimum to use possibilities for tourism, the reserve cooperates
with the scientific organisations which develop
techniques for improvement of tourist activity. As for
attraction of different tourist groups the reserve will
organise a museum of natural history which exposition
will be very interesting to visitors of reserve and will
interest people of visitors for survey of sights.
For financing of individual programs on protection of
surrounding wildlife and geological objects the reserve
co-operates with the various international organisations
which are engaged in nature protection, such as WWF
(the world fund of the wild nature).
C.2. OVERVIEW OF THE EXISTING GEOINSTITUTION AND
GEO-ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION OF THE GEOPARK
The Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky reserve throughout
many years actively co-operates with the leading
scientific organisations. These organisations carry out
thematic scientific researches of geology, ecology of
flora and reserve fauna. These researches are spent
more than 10 years.
Such scientific organisations co-operate with reserve
as: the Astrakhan state university (research of flora,
karstic caves), the Astrakhan state technical university
(geological researches), the Russian university of
friendship of the people (fauna research).
Regularly carry out researches employees of zoological
institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and
biological institute of the Russian Academy of
Sciences.
The researches in the field of tourist activity in geopark
territory are spent by Institute of ecology of the Volga
pool of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The scientific organisations publish works which
expand an outlook of scientific and practical knowledge
of flora, to fauna and geopark geology.
C.3. POLICIES FOR THE PROTECTION, ENHANCEMENT
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE GEOLOGICAL
HERITAGE PRESENT IN THE TERRITORY.
The reserve establishment has carried out numerous
scientific researches rather.
13
The geological heritage of area also co-operated with
the scientific organisations to make this heritage
popular.
To advance development Geotourism, Park in
cooperation with municipalities and with the Agencies
responsible for development of tourism, intends to
involve tourist operators in initiatives which are
promoting of geological and geomorphological
extreme итуаций.
The Park establishment develops long-term plans
aimed at protection экосистемы reserve and its
development. In conformity with principles of a
sustainable development the establishment spends
scientifically-practical conferences to which agenda
questions of preservation of the environment and
development of tourist and recreational activity enter.
Also the reserve with its unique natural and
geological complexes lets out a lot of printing and
souvenir production with the logos and symbolics.
C.4. THE TERRITORY'S INTEREST IN JOINING THE
EUROPEAN GEOPARK NETWORK
The Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky reserve aspires to
become a European Geopark because, besides
having a unique geological heritage, has for years
carried out a policy of sustainable development. It
includes a number of geological sites of particular
importance in terms of scientific quality, rarity,
aestheticism and of educational value. The territory is
not only important for its geology, it possesses an
enormous rchaeological, ecological, historical and
cultural heritage. The Park Institution intends to make
use of the management results developed by the
European Network of Geoparks, utilising the label
and a common image of quality that emphasizes the
valorisation of the geological heritage and the
sustainable development. The Bogdinsko-
Baskunchaksky reserve intends to collaborate with
the European Network of Geoparks and with the local
entrepreneurs to promote and support the creation
and commercialization of new products connected
with the geological heritage.
The sites of the Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky reserve
will have their own website and will be safeguarded.
The Institution of the Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky
reserve has an active role for the economic
development and the valorisation of the territory and
its heritage and is working for the development for
geotourism. It has a positive influence on the quality
of life of its inhabitants. This means that the residents
are actively involved with the cultural
revival of the territory. The Institution also promotes
education on the environment, the formation and the
development of Scientific Research in its various
disciplines in the Science of the Earth, improving
natural environment and encouraging Sustainable
Development Policies.

D. GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE TERRITORY
D.1. ECONOMICAL ACTIVITIES, DESCRIPTION OF THE
PRIMARY STRUCTURES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY
In the territory of the region the production of local
manufacturers are used: food stuffs in restaurant
business, products of local masters in shops,
organized markets realizing local agricultural
production. In the region there are trade marks, for
example, «Astrakhan water-melon».
In the territory of the region products and souvenirs
from local materials (for example, salt in decorative
packing) are accessible
Promotion of local masters’ products is actively
supported by the reserve; local production is
advertised and exposed in the most favorable light.
The reserve concludes contracts on manufacturing of
souvenir production with national skilled craftsmen.
The symbolics of the reserve is used by local
commodity producers in labels of production sold both
in the territory of region, and out of its limits.
The reserve works under contracts with businessmen
on granting transport services, manufacturing of the
equipment of excursion routes, design services and
manufacturing of printed, souvenir production.
The reserve works in contact with industrial
enterprises of the region, carrying out projects on a
contractual basis. There are joint projects financed by
enterprises on manufacturing the advertising -
publishing production, directed on popularization of
geological appeal of the region (the edition of sets of
cards, pocket and wall calendars, illustrated collections
etc).
D.2. THE PROVISIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE
TERRITORY
Stay on the reserve territory of extraneous people who
are not its workers or officials of the body in the
authority of which there is the reserve, can be admitted
only at the presence of this body or the reserve
administration.
The responsibility for infringement of the established
mode or other rules of protection and use of the
environmental natural environment and natural
resources in the territory of reserve, its security zone
and other specially protected territories under the
authority of the reserve, comes according to the
current legislation of the Russian Federation.
D.3. PROTECTION STATUS OF THE TERRITORY
1. On the whole territory of the reserve any activity
contradicting to problems of reserve and a mode of
special protection of its territory is forbidden, including:
The actions changing a hydrological mode of grounds;
Prospecting works and development of minerals,
infringement of a soil cover, outcrops of minerals,
exposures and rocks;
Cutting of wood, except cuttings which are carried out
in established order, preparation of galipot, wood
juices, herbs and technical raw material, and also
14
other kinds of wood use, except for cases stipulated
by the present Statute;
Mowing, cattle pasturage, accommodation of
beehives and apiaries, gathering and preparation of
wild-growing fruits, mushrooms, nuts, seeds, flowers
and other kinds of using flora except for cases
stipulated by the present Statute;
Construction and accommodation of industrial and
agricultural enterprises, and their separate objects,
construction of buildings and constructions, roads
and overpasses, transmission lines and other
communications, except for necessary for
maintenance of reserve activity; thus concerning the
objects stipulated by the general plan, sanctions of
construction according to the legislation of the Russian
Federation on local self-management and Town-planning
code of the Russian Federation;
Trade, sports and amateur hunting and fishering,
other kinds of using fauna, except for cases
stipulated by the present Statute;
Introduction of alive organisms with an aim of their
acclimatization;
Application of mineral fertilizers and chemicals of
plants protection;
Pollution of territory by household and industrial
waste products and dust;
Transit run of pets;
The presence, pass and travel of extraneous people
and motor transport outside of roads and general
purpose waterways;
Gathering of zoological, botanical, mineralogical and
other collections, except for stipulated by subjects
and plans of scientific researches in the reserve;
Flight of helicopters and planes lower than 2000
meters above the reserve without the coordination
with its administration or Russia nature inspectorate,
and also overcoming of a sound barrier above the
territory of the reserve;
Other activity breaking natural development of natural
processes, menacing to the condition of natural
complexes and objects, and also not connected with
the performance of problems assigned to the reserve.
2. In the territory of the reserve the realization of
actions and the activity, directed at:
Preservation in natural conditions of natural
complexes, restoration, and also prevention of
changes of natural complexes and their components
in a result of anthropogenous influence;
Maintenance of conditions providing sanitary and fireprevention
safety of people, animals, natural
complexes and objects;
Prevention of dangerous natural phenomena (snow
avalanches, rock falls, mud flows and others),
menacing to life and settlements of people;
Carrying out of scientific researches and ecological
monitoring;
Conducting of ecological and educational work;
Realization of control functions.

3. In the reserve sections on which any intervention of
people in natural processes is excluded. The sizes of
these sections are defined proceeding from the
necessity of preservation of the whole natural complex
in natural conditions.
D.4. EXISTING FACILITIES
In the reserve the network of foot routes which include
the basic sights representing the interest for visitors of
different interests is developed. Routes are regularly
marked; the equipment of routes is checked on
durability and is under repair. For visitors booklets with
route maps are created. The reserve cooperates with
the sanatorium “Bassol” where the full board for having
a rest is stipulated.
In the reserve territory excursions for groups by the
number up to 30 people during the season from April
to October are carried out. Excursions for groups with
special interests are developed in the field of geology
and geomorphology, for an audience with wide
interests. The reserve works with visitors - invalids of
4-3 groups. To visit the reserve is possible without the
forward ordering, registration is made after the arrival.
Alongside with it the information about the reserve is a
part of the exposition in a local museum of history in
Akhtubinsk and the museum of Baskunchack mining.
In educational establishments of city information
stands reserve are made out.
D.5. FUTURE FACILITIES PLANNED
In the organisation the general plan for development of
reserve in which the basic actions necessary for
performance in the future are designated is developed.
For attraction of tourists and improvement of tourist
activity on reserve territories it is planned:
1 Organization of a geological route on territory of the
reserve aimed at acquaintance with geological sights;
2 Organization of excursion in karstic caves for survey
of underground forms of a relief, образовавщихся in
plaster cavities;
3 Organization of the big sightseeing tour on reserve
with survey of geological, ecological and animal
objects;
4. The educational project on environment concerning
geology and reserve geomorphology of "the aeration
Form»;
5. The publication of an informative material
concerning a geological and geomorphological
heritage Future Bogdinsko - Baskunchaksky Geopark;
6. Realisation of traffic signs which describe
geological, geomorphological features geosites;
7. The publication of the guide on Bogdinsko -
Baskunchaksky Geopark;
8. The organisation and realisation of a museum of
geology of mountain Bolchoe Bogdo.
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