At the junction of three zones - forest-steppe, mixed and coniferous forests - there is a national park Mariy Chodra. Its very name translates as "Mari forest".

Pearls of Mari Chodry

The main treasure of the complex are beautiful lakes, many of which are declared natural monuments: Sea Eye, Yalchik, Deaf, Shungaldan. Not only residents of Mari El come to admire them, but also guests from more remote regions.

Sea Eye, the most famous of all bodies of water, is so named because of the amazing turquoise hue of the water. From the high bank, you can see the filled with transparent cold water a huge bowl, to which a narrow path descends. Tall fir trees grow around, the scent of pine needles flows in the air.

The crescent-shaped Lake Deaf Lake is very popular with divers. Having reached a depth where the light of the sun almost does not penetrate, you can see the “growing” pines that have fallen there many centuries ago.

Yalchik captivates at first sight with its grandeur and beauty. Underwater sources are constantly expanding the area of ​​​​the reservoir.

Shungaldan Lake is a little apart. It seems that the forest surrounding it seems to come out of the water. Shungaldan is located near Maple Mountain.

The lakes are of karst origin, which explains the bizarre forms.

Magic Land Maple Hills

Maple Mountain is the highest point Mariy Chodra park. From its top opens beautiful view to the surrounding wooded areas. A wonderful land, Maple Hills, is located in the center of the complex. The ecological route passing along the mountain amazes with the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Pugachevsky oak

A little less than a thousand species of plants grow on the territory of the national complex, but the huge oak remains its most famous inhabitant. Proudly towering on the top of the mountain, the thick-set tall hero, according to legend, protected Emelyan Pugachev himself from the sun. To this day, the tree is a decoration of the park.

Trail Horseshoe

On the route you can see rare plants listed in the Red Book. Ferns that grow only in the park will be a real find for naturalists. The educational and educational trail Horseshoe will lead you through the most interesting corners Mariy Chodry.

Many birds and mammals live here all year round. Moose often visit here, a frequent guest is a lynx. There are also taiga species in Mariy Chodra, such as brown bear, ermine. However, the most numerous inhabitants are representatives of the order of rodents. Otters and muskrats live in the rivers. The park is home to over 150 species of birds. Among them are capercaillie, and hazel grouse, and birds of prey: tawny owl, snowy owl, osprey, buzzard, white-tailed eagle. Numerous families of waterfowl have become the old-timers of the complex.

Ilet River

Sung in songs, Mari tales and legends, the beautiful river proudly carries its clear cold waters. On the territory of the park, Ilet is the largest. Thanks to the underground springs that feed it, the largest of which is the Green Key, the river does not freeze even in severe frosts. The spring water is considered to be healing. The banks of the Ileti now soar up steep slopes, then go down wonderful beaches with clean sand. Settlements almost none, but many paths and trails approach the river. A kayak trip will be an unforgettable experience for the guests of the park.
Pure water, aromas of blooming lilies of the valley, Fresh air- all this allows you to forget about the bustle of the city and monotony. That is why the inhabitants of the republic call the complex Mariy Chodra favorite vacation spot.

MARY CHODRA
national park

Location and history national park"Mary Chodra"

national park"Mari Chodra" in 1985 on the territory of the Republic of Mari El. The national park is located in the southeast of the Republic of Mari El, in its most economically developed part, on the territory of three administrative regions: Morkinsky, Zvenigovsky, Volzhsky. There are 5 settlements on the territory of the park, where about 15 thousand people live.

The area of ​​the national park is 36.6 thousand hectares, all lands are provided to the national park. forest land occupy 34.0 thousand hectares (92.9% of the park), incl. forested - 33.5 thousand hectares (91.5%). Non-forest lands occupy only 7.1% of the park, among them: hayfields, pastures, arable land - 1%, water - 2%, swamps - 1%, roads and clearings - 2%, the rest - estates and other lands. The national park is located at a distance of 60 km from the city of Yoshkar-Ola and 30 km from the city of Volzhsk. Its territory is crossed Railway Yoshkar-Ola - Moscow and the highway of republican significance Yoshkar-Ola - Kazan.

The nature of the national park "Mariy Chodra"

The flora and vegetation of the park are diverse. Its territory is located on the southern border of coniferous-deciduous forests of the subtaiga zone, and in floristic terms - at the junction of the European and West Siberian provinces of the Euro-Siberian floristic region. The flora of this limited area includes 774 species and subspecies from 363 genera of 93 families, which is more than 67%. A number of taiga species, both European (European spruce) and Siberian (Siberian fir), are found here with elements of forest-steppes (summer oak) and steppes (feather grass). Pine forests grow mainly on sandy and sandy loamy soils and make up 27.7% of forests. Among them, pure green moss pine forests predominate, often with the participation of aspen, birch, and sometimes spruce. A special place belongs to sphagnum pine forests. Although they cover only about 600 hectares, they are an important component natural complex parka. Spruce forests are presented in mosaic and occupy only 3.3% of the forest area. They may include pine, birch, aspen.

The flora of the park includes about 50 rare species, which is 1/4 of the list of rare and endangered species of local flora. Of the species listed in the Red Book of the USSR (1984), there is a real slipper and a red pollenhead. Relic plants can be seen in sphagnum bogs: marsh hamarbia, Magellanic and string-rooted sedges, white gooseberry, multi-eared cotton grass, sundews. Some plant species have become endangered as a result of the disappearance of plant communities. For example, from the swamps - marsh napkin, single-leaved pulp, compressed potochnik, Lapland willow, and from the field - ordinary cockle. As a result of increased exploitation, the endangered ones include sandy cumin, pure white water lily, curly lily, Siberian iris, etc.

Animals of the national park "Mariy Chodra"

The park is inhabited by many animals of the strip of mixed forests of the European part of Russia. This is due to the ecological and trophic diversity of habitat conditions, as well as geographic location park at the junction of natural areas. Animal world republic is well studied. However, a systematic study of the fauna of the national park has not yet been carried out. But if we exclude species that live in ecotopes that are not typical for the park (the forest-steppe part of the republic, the Volga valley, the Cheboksary reservoir), then it should be assumed that about 50 species of mammals, about 100 birds and 29 species of fish live in its lands.

Among mammals, the order of rodents is the most numerous. In the forests of the park there are squirrel and chipmunk from the squirrel family - a recent eastern alien; from the mouse family - wood mouse, bank vole, yellow-throated mouse, etc. From the order of lagomorphs, the hare is not uncommon, and the hare is occasionally found along the borders with fields. The order of carnivores is represented by the mustelid family: weasel, ermine, polecat, pine marten, European and, possibly, American mink are all relatively small. The otter noted by Yushut is especially rare. Interestingly, the mink sometimes hunts birds, in particular hazel grouse, by voice. Of the cats, apparently, the lynx comes in. Moose are common in the forests. Another representative of the order of artiodactyls - wild boar - is less common. In the lands of Mariy-Chodry, especially in the Ileti floodplain, many bats live in hollows in overmature forests. Specially protected species include the otter and the beaver, which was brought from the Voronezh Reserve and released into the lands of the republic in 1947. It is interesting that on the Irovka, a tributary of the Ilet, beavers were previously found, but were exterminated.

The most common birds of the passerine order, whose life is connected with forests: jay, magpie, oriole, crossbills, pika, nuthatch, titmouse, etc. This should also include birds from the woodpecker order: large and small motley woodpeckers, bile. In mixed forests with a diverse and dense undergrowth, representatives of the thrush family are common: fieldfare thrush, mistle, blackbird. Of the forest birds that lead nocturnal and twilight life, although less common, one should name the long-eared owl, the hawk owl, the long-legged owl and the largest of the owl family - the eagle owl. Common nightjar. Of the grouse birds, taiga species live in the park: capercaillie (unfortunately, its numbers have sharply decreased) and hazel grouse. Black grouse, a resident of the forest-steppe and broad-leaved forests, keeps on clearings and young stands. Of the snipe family, the woodcock is common; snipe and great snipe are less common due to the limited meadow-marsh spaces. The family of pigeons is represented by the dove, the dove and the dove. The first two live in old oak forests on Maple Mountain and feed on acorns. Of the daytime birds of prey, the most common buzzard, goshawk, black kite. No nesting eagles found. But flights of the golden eagle - the largest eagle - are possible. Another rare feathered predator - the osprey - was noted along the river. Ilet, a few south of the park. Until recently, gray herons lived in the park: two pairs of herons nested in huge pine trees on the banks of the Ileti. There are currently none. Of the waterfowl nesting birds in floodplain lakes and swampy channels, the mallard duck and the common teal are common, they are less common in reservoirs of failed origin. It is possible to inhabit the goldeneye - a typical forest duck that builds nests in hollows. Seasonal concentrations of birds are small. In autumn, diving ducks temporarily stop on the lakes, and in spring the flight over the overflowing rivers is more lively. In autumn and winter, bullfinch, waxwing, sometimes nutcracker, etc. migrate.

Initial information about the national park was kindly provided by the administration of the resource www.biodiversity.ru

Established in 1985, the Mari Chodra National Park is an interesting natural and territorial complex.
Translated from the Mari language "Mari Chodra" means "Mari forest".

Purpose of creation
Protection of rare and endangered species of flora (115 rare and endangered species of flora are registered in the park), fauna and historical and archaeological monuments.

The entire territory of the park is covered with beautiful pine forests and coniferous-deciduous forests.
Numerous mineral springs, significant outcrops of which are located in the valleys of the Ilet and Yushut rivers, are used for medicinal purposes in sanatoriums, rest homes and hospitals. A characteristic element of the landscape are lakes (failure, interdune, floodplain). The failures are located mainly on the southern, southwestern slopes of the Mariysko-Vyatka ridge. Most of them are located in the lower reaches of the Ilet River - Lake. Yalchik, Glukhoe, Kichner, Shulgandan belong to natural monuments. mineral spring"Green Key" and botanical geocenoses - the tract "Klenovaya Gora", "Klenogorskaya Oak Forest" also belong to natural monuments. The historical and cultural complex of the park includes 2 monuments of history - an oak, called Pugachevsky (according to legend, E. I. Pugachev stopped for the night under the shade of this oak with his detachment) and the old Kazan road. Oak differs sharply in its size among the stands. This is a gigantic tree with a powerful trunk, the diameter of which is 159 cm, which is part of the upper tier.

Active 14 tourist routes(foot, water, horse). Most popular places for recreation and tourism - Maple Mountain, lakes Yalchik, Glukhoe, Kichier.
Currently, 14 recreation facilities are located on the territory of the national park: tourist centers, recreation centers, a tourist campus, student sports camps, and sanatoriums. An ecological camp was organized on the basis of the camp of the Mari State University.

Address: 425040, Rep. Mari El, Zvenigovsky district, Krasnogorsky settlement, st. Central, 73

At the junction of three zones - forest-steppe, mixed and coniferous forests - the Mari Chodra National Park is located. Its very name translates as "Mari forest".

Pearls of Mari Chodry

The main treasure of the complex are the most beautiful lakes, many of which are declared natural monuments: Sea Eye, Yalchik, Glukhoe, Shungaldan. Not only residents of Mari El come to admire them, but also guests from more remote regions.

Sea Eye, the most famous of all bodies of water, is so named because of the amazing turquoise hue of the water. From the high bank, you can see a huge bowl filled with clear cold water, to which a narrow path descends. Tall fir trees grow around, the scent of pine needles flows in the air.

The crescent-shaped Lake Deaf Lake is very popular with divers. Having reached a depth where the light of the sun almost does not penetrate, you can see the “growing” pines that have fallen there many centuries ago.

Yalchik captivates at first sight with its grandeur and beauty. Underwater sources are constantly expanding the area of ​​​​the reservoir.

Shungaldan Lake is a little apart. It seems that the forest surrounding it seems to come out of the water. Shungaldan is located near Maple Mountain.

The lakes are of karst origin, which explains the bizarre forms.

Magic Land Maple Hills

Maple Mountain is the highest point of Mari Chodra Park. From its top, there is a beautiful view of the forests stretching around. A wonderful land, Maple Hills, is located in the center of the complex. The ecological route passing along the mountain amazes with the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Pugachevsky oak

A little less than a thousand species of plants grow on the territory of the national complex, but the huge oak remains its most famous inhabitant. Proudly towering on the top of the mountain, the thick-set tall hero, according to legend, protected Emelyan Pugachev himself from the sun. To this day, the tree is a decoration of the park.

Trail Horseshoe

On the route you can see rare plants listed in the Red Book. Ferns that grow only in the park will be a real find for naturalists. The educational and educational trail Horseshoe will lead you through the most interesting corners of Mari Chodry.

Many birds and mammals live here all year round. Moose often visit here, a frequent guest is a lynx. There are also taiga species in Mariy Chodra, such as brown bear, ermine. However, the most numerous inhabitants are representatives of the order of rodents. Otters and muskrats live in the rivers. The park is home to over 150 species of birds. Among them are capercaillie, and hazel grouse, and birds of prey: tawny owl, snowy owl, osprey, buzzard, white-tailed eagle. Numerous families of waterfowl have become the old-timers of the complex.

Ilet River

Sung in songs, Mari tales and legends, the beautiful river proudly carries its clear cold waters. On the territory of the park, Ilet is the largest. Thanks to the underground springs that feed it, the largest of which is the Green Key, the river does not freeze even in severe frosts. The spring water is considered to be healing. The shores of Ileti either soar upwards with steep slopes, or descend down with wonderful beaches with clean sand. There are almost no settlements, but many paths and trails approach the river. A kayak trip will be an unforgettable experience for the guests of the park.

Pure water, aromas of blooming lilies of the valley, fresh air - all this allows you to forget about the city bustle and monotony. That is why the inhabitants of the republic call the Mariy Chodra complex the most favorite vacation spot.

Mari Chodra National Park(the name in Russian is “Mariysky Les”) was formed in 1985. The protected area is covered with delightful deciduous forests and pine forests. The national park must preserve landscapes, characteristic animals and vegetable world, monuments of nature. In addition, the main tasks include the protection of lakes, the origin of which is sinkhole-karst, as well as their use for scientific, educational and recreational purposes.

Square Mari Chodra National Park in general is 36.6 thousand hectares. The protected area is located in the southeastern region of the Republic of Mari El, in the zone of mixed forests of the forest zone. The protected area is a slightly undulating plain, the absolute heights of which reach from 75 to 125 meters above sea level.

AT Mari Chodra National Park there are many rivers and lakes. The main river of the park is Ilet river, as well as its left-bank tributaries: Uba, Arbayka, Yushut. Petyalka flows into it from the right side. During the warm season, the water content of the river makes it possible for tourists' boats to pass through.

Transparent and clean karst forest lakes, such as the Shulgandan, Kichner, Deaf, Yalchik which are natural monuments.

Within the territorial limits of the national park, temperate continental climate, which is characterized by relatively hot summers and cold, frosty winters, with fairly stable snow cover. The warmest month is July with an average temperature of +18.3°C. In January, the coldest month, average temperature is 14.1ºС.

AT national park "Mari Chodra" forest vegetation is predominant. Pine forests make up the largest share. There are also oak and spruce forests. Approximately one third of the park is occupied by aspen and birch forests.
In the park you can see the rarest species of plants: forest apple tree, dyeing dock, common heather, Ural tsitserbita, red-fruited black cohosh, Arnell's sedge, laxative joster.

The local fauna is represented by taiga species (grouse, capercaillie, elk, brown bear), species of coniferous-broad-leaved forests (green woodpecker, squirrel, yellow-throated mouse), as well as forest-steppe species (common hamster, reddish ground squirrel, field mouse, hare).

A typical inhabitant of the park is red fox. In the protected area you can see the muskrat - this rare species included in the Red Books Russian Federation and International Union for Conservation of Nature. More than 43 species of fish are found in the lakes and rivers of the national park: bream, tench, carp, silver and gold crucian carp, pike, catfish. The Ilet River inhabits European grayling- the rarest species.