Mariy Chodra National Park, National park and nature reserve in Morkinsky District, Russia
Mariy Chodra National Park is a nature reserve covering roughly 36,600 hectares of dense forest across Morkinsky District. The landscape features rivers and several karst lakes, with the Ilet River and its tributaries like Yushut and Petyalka flowing through to create a varied water network.
The territory became a national park in December 1985 when the Council of Ministers of the Mari Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic approved its protected status. This decision established formal protection for the region's forest ecosystem and water systems.
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The park restricts access to its northeastern zone to protect sensitive habitats from visitor disturbance. Seasonal limitations are also in place during certain times of year to minimize impact on the ecosystem.
The lakes here were formed by karst geology, with Lake Yalchik being the largest and notably deep. These natural formations create a distinctive setting that draws visitors interested in water ecosystems and geological features.
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