Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation
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Natalia Romanovna Danilina, President of the Zapovednoye Posledstvo (Reserve Embassy) Charitable Foundation and Director of the Zapovedniki Ecocenter, presented a report at the panel discussion "Biodiversity Conservation: Challenges and Solutions." The event was held as part of the "GREEN TRANSFORMATION: PARTNERSHIPS AND SOLUTIONS" conference on the day of the All-Russian "EcoPositive-2025" award ceremony.
The discussion, which brought together leading environmentalists, public figures, and government officials, focused on finding a balance between the interests of nature, the economy, and society. Participants sought answers to the central question: how to halt biodiversity loss in Russia while engaging all stakeholders; and the role of ecotourism, volunteerism, and other activities in this process. Invited to the discussion panel alongside Natalya Romanovna were Vsevolod Stepanitsky, Honored Ecologist of the Russian Federation and Co-Chair of the Expert Council on Nature Reserves; Mikhail Kreindlin, Coordinator of Protected Area Programs for the "Earth Touches Everyone" environmental project; and Georgy Arapov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Ecology, Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection. The discussion was moderated by Elena Sharoykina, Chair of the Commission on Ecology and Sustainable Development of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.
In her speech, Natalya Romanovna Danilina shifted the focus from traditional problems to the enormous potential of Russia's nature reserve system. She emphasized that specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) are not open-air museums, but a dynamically developing sector that makes a real contribution to the socioeconomic development of the regions.
"In fact, protected areas aren't just a magnet for the entertainment of millions of tourists, but an industry that contributes to the economy, social development, education, and the preservation of cultural heritage," Natalya Romanovna stated. "Nature, of course, comes first. But this nature is preserved when all the other 'trains' working to preserve it are added to this 'train.'"
At the request of the discussion participants, Natalia Romanovna focused on ecotourism as one of the central topics of her presentation. The expert provided a clear definition of it based on four principles: the preservation of natural environments, sustainable visitation, a mandatory educational component, and support for the regional economy.
The President of the Nature Conservation Embassy questioned the practice of using the number of visits as the main and only indicator of success.
"By including only this figure in the federal project as part of the national 'Environmental Well-Being' project, we've unleashed a genie that distorts the goals and objectives of protected areas. Now, protected areas report only on the number of people who have visited them. But what does the figure of 14 million visitors mean in terms of nature conservation or raising environmental awareness? There's nothing behind it. Is 140 million good? Or 500 million? We can't say because we don't have adequate metrics," Danilina noted.
In contrast, she proposed adding new criteria to the assessment of protected areas' performance: the preservation of natural complexes, which should be regularly assessed by experts; visitor satisfaction and benefits, measured through independent sociological research; and, finally, a real contribution to the regional economy, not just income from ticket sales.
The Ergaki Nature Park in Krasnoyarsk Krai was cited as a positive example, where careful calculations showed that every ruble donated to the park's budget brings almost two rubles in revenue to the region.
Natalya Romanovna also highlighted successful examples of partnerships between protected areas, businesses, and volunteers. She noted that today, companies are investing not only in infrastructure but also in intellectual, scientific, and educational projects.
Finally, Natalia Danilina supported the initiative to create a Federal Agency for the Development of Protected Areas and Biodiversity Conservation. She believes such a body is essential for the competent management of an industry that has already proven its multifaceted value.
"We've always been leaders in this area, and it's time we reclaim our leadership positions. Because our justifications are being well-received by our colleagues abroad," she noted, citing Uzbekistan's recent decision to create a similar committee reporting directly to the country's president.
The discussion concluded in the spirit of the EcoPositive Award—with constructive dialogue, concrete proposals, and an optimistic outlook on the future, where environmental conservation is the foundation for Russia's sustainable development.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.