About 9% of Belarus’ areas protected

This figure was announced First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Aleksandr Korbut at a press conference dedicated to the development of ecological tourism in Belarus

According to Mr. Korbut, today, 1,354 territories in our country are classified as specially protected.

“The total area of protected areas makes up about 9 percent of the entire territory of the country. 30 state-owned enterprises have been established to manage such zones. These include 40 nature reserves, which are directly managed, and within which the development of ecological tourism takes place. 17 visitor centres, 4 environmental classes, an environmental education centre and ecotourism centres have been created on the premises of 18 specially protected areas.

In total, 81 tourist routes and 24 naturel trails operate in specially protected areas. At the same time, the infrastructure is constantly being improved, and new facilities are appearing. In 2023, e.g., a new historical and ecological route was created in the Boloto Mokh hydrological reserve of the Miory District, and a hiking trail is being landscaped and a glamping is being built in the Osveisky landscape reserve.