Dzherginsky Nature Reserve

Dzherginsky Nature Reserve sits where three mountain ranges meet in Buryatia and covers roughly 238,000 hectares. It contains larch forests, river valleys, and different elevation zones from steppes to alpine areas.

The area became protected in 1992 to safeguard the upper Barguzin River valley and surrounding mountain ecosystems. This establishment was part of broader efforts to protect Siberia's natural diversity.

The name comes from a Soviet-era official, and the reserve remains a destination for scientists studying how plants and animals coexist in harsh mountain terrain. Its protected status gives refuge to species that struggle elsewhere.

Access requires special permits from the administrative office in Ulan-Ude, which are strictly controlled for conservation reasons. Plan to apply well in advance, as processing can take time.

The reserve is home to over 200 vertebrate species, including birds and mammals that live side by side across different elevation zones. This concentration of wildlife makes it a living laboratory for understanding how animals adapt to harsh environments.