The tourist flow to the Kerzhensky Nature Reserve has increased by 2.1 times.

      March 24, 2026 09:08 Society The tourist flow to the Kerzhensky Nature Reserve in the Nizhny Novgorod region has increased by 2.1 times over the past four years and has approached 25,000 people per year. This was reported by the regional Ministry of Tourism and Crafts. If in 2022 the reserve was visited by 11,800 people, then in 2025 the number of guests nearly reached 25,000. The area of the Kerzhensky Reserve exceeds 46,800 hectares. One of the main attractions for tourists remains the "Land of Deer" excursion trail, created around a demonstration enclosure. Here, a program for the restoration of the forest reindeer population has been implemented since 2014. During this time, 34 reindeer calves have been born in the enclosures, and since 2020, 22 animals have been released into the wild. Already in the wild, another 10 calves have appeared. Since 2025, the reindeer, which is the emblematic symbol of the Nizhny Novgorod region, has been under the care of the national project "Ecological Well-Being." The head of the regional Ministry of Tourism, Sergey Yakovlev, noted that the reserve implements the only state program in Russia for the restoration of the forest reindeer. Its goal is to return the species, which disappeared from the region over a century ago due to overhunting. According to him, thanks to the work of specialists, the animal is no longer considered an extinct species in the region's Red Book; however, efforts to increase its population continue. The head of the department emphasized that the experience of the Kerzhensky Reserve demonstrates a balance between nature conservation and tourism development. According to him, tourists are attracted by the opportunity to see the restored population and spend time in the pristine nature. "People come to the reserve primarily for the reborn wonder. Once here, guests understand: the pristine nature is captivating," noted Yakovlev. He added that the development of infrastructure has improved the quality of the tourist experience. In particular, a glamping site has appeared in the central estate in the village of Rustai in the Bor district, which has led to tourists staying overnight more frequently. According to the minister, the increase in attendance in recent years has been mainly due to independent travelers. "The doubling of attendance did not occur due to school groups or corporate visits, but thanks to private tourists," said Yakovlev, explaining that modern tourists prefer to travel at their own pace, using audio guides and navigation, which allows for a simultaneous reduction in the load on nature and an improvement in the quality of recreation. The ministry reminded that the development of ecological tourism remains one of the priorities of the regional government within the framework of the national project "Tourism and Hospitality." The main task is to preserve natural areas while ensuring the socio-economic development of adjacent regions. The Federal State Budgetary Institution "Nizhny Novgorod Volga" manages not only the Kerzhensky Reserve but also the national park "Nizhny Novgorod Volga" named after V.A. Lebedev, established in 2024. It includes five sections located in nine municipalities of the region, including Arzamas and the Kstovo district of Nizhny Novgorod. The Volga, Kilemar, Kama-Bakalinsky, Pustynsky, and Ichalkovsky sections of the park, located in different natural zones of the region, are open for visits. The national projects "Ecological Well-Being" and "Tourism and Hospitality" were initiated by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. They aim to preserve the environment, develop infrastructure, and improve the quality of tourist services. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When republishing, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+