NEWS ARCHIVE: AUGUST 2013

NEWS ARCHIVE: AUGUST 2013

August 30, 2013 "Zarya" (The Dawn) newspaper Video-report: Border Crossing "Pererov-Bialowieza" commissioned

An office building and a modern infrastructure have been built at the checkpoint "Pererov" in Belovezhskaya Pushcha.

To get to Poland through the protected area were possible as earlier as 8 years ago, when a pedestrian and bicycle crossing point - "Pererov" from the Belarusian side and "Bialowieza" from the Polish one of Belovezhskaya Pushcha – was open. Earlier tourists crossing the border from our part could see only a gate with barbed wire and a control strip, while coming from the Polish side was luxurious office building with all the amenities. Belarusian border guards were also serving there. However, in November 2012, we have begun to establish the infrastructure and on Wednesday the leaders of the border agency and our region have cut a ribbon at the opening of the complex. The cost of the construction is more than 17 billion Rubles (~$1.9 million) from the national budget.

First of all, according to the guards, the new building will increase the staff of the border and custom service, as before our employees huddled on the Polish side and there was no possible to place more than two comptrollers. Now the duty detail will be increased up to 8 people. That will accelerate the process of passing the border. Second, our own building provides comfort to the tourists.

So, today the "Pererov" consists of an administrative and technical building, parking for 3 cars, underground artesian wells and treatment facilities, as well as a diesel generator in case of blackouts and own heat system. In short, if you want you can autonomously not only to serve but also to live here. Hotel rooms, of course, are not available, but the first floor of the building has lounges and comfortable cabins. Spacious inspection halls and rooms to check the documents are available. All are in compliance with various requirements and standards.

In general, such the service can only be dreamed at the checkpoint "Zabolotie" on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border where every Brest resident visited probably at least once. However, sometimes up to thousands of passengers pass through the "Zabolotie" a day, while the "Pererov" services about 150 people a day. In all for the year of 2012, 3,994 tourists were registered. Perhaps, the new complex was built with an eye to the future, because the Polish reserve is visited by about 150,000 tourists from all countries of the European Union. Why do not send them to us in the near future?

Alexandr Boechko, Chairman of the State Border Committee of Belarus,

"The infrastructure of the checkpoint will greatly facilitate the cross-border movement of residents of frontier areas, will create real prerequisites for the increase in exports of tourism services and will contribute to the collaboration of European nature protected areas. Enhanced capabilities of the border crossing after its modernization also allow provide an increasing flow of people across the border."

Konstantin Sumar, Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee,

"We will continue to develop the infrastructure of the Reserve in order to allow tourists stay here for a couple of days, not to be quick in transit. If it is so, the National Park can earn 2 to 3 million Euros per year from tourism services. Now, the new checkpoint lets pass up to 300 people a day, so both we and our colleagues in Poland need to actively promote this trend.

REFERENCE.

The checkpoint "Pererov" was opened for international travels and communication in 2005. Its name originates from the eponymous village situated nearby. It is located on the road P-81, 15 meters away from the state border of the Republic of Belarus. The checkpoint "Pererov" is not round-the-clock. It works only during the light day – 1 October to 31 March from 10.00 to 20.00 and 1 April to 30 September from 9.00 to 21.00.

A route of the length of 45 km is designed for groups of tourists on bicycles arriving from Poland through the tourist checkpoint "Pererov". During the tour tourists can see the Lake Lyadskoye, a 600-year-old oak tree, a 350-year-old pine tree, the "Manor of Father Frost", a monument to local people shot during the Second World War, the Royal road, and many others things.

By Alexander MITIUKOV

(Video can be viewed on Youtube , in Russian)
August 23 to 29, 2013 "Brestskaya Gazeta" (The Brest Newspaper) newspaper, No 34 After modernization the checkpoint "Pererov" - "Bialowieza" is open in Belovezhskaya Pushcha


The opening of the checkpoint// Photo By SBC
In the section served by the Dzerzhinsky's Brest Red Banner Border Group, the ceremony of opening the Belarusian part of the International Border Checkpoint "Pererov-Bialowieza" was held on August 28.

The event was attended by the Chairman of the State Border Committee of Belarus Colonel Alexander Boechko, Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee Konstantin Sumar, Director of Infrastructure of Podlaskie Province Eva Stahovicz, representatives of border and customs services, and the local authorities of Belarus and Poland.

The checkpoint "Pererov" was opened in 2005. Its name comes from the village of its location with the same name. It is located on the road P-81, 15 meters away from the state border of Belarus, in the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" (Pruzhansky district, Brest region). The contiguous Polish checkpoint "Bialowieza" is in front of the checkpoint "Pererov".

Construction of the object made by the State Border Committee began in November 2012 and was carried out at the expense of the national budget. Finances were allocated under the State Investment Program to improve the infrastructure of state border of Belarus. Total construction cost is more than 17 billion Rubles (~$1.9 million).


The opening ceremony of the Belarusian part of the international border checkpoint "Pererov-Bialowieza"

In 2012, 3,994 people were registered: 1,999 to enter and 1,995 to exit abroad.

The checkpoint complex includes administrative and technical buildings, fire tank, parking for three cars, treatment facilities of the underground type, two artesian wells and landscaping elements. The administrative building provides facilities for documents' inspection, custom service and staff rooms.

The object is unique, as it is located in the center of Belovezhskaya Pushcha, natural reserves of Belarus and Poland. In this case, it only serves the passage of pedestrians and cyclists. Roads to the checkpoint are technically suitable for the movement of cars, but they are not used for these purposes because of the protected status of this area.


The opening ceremony of the Belarusian part of the international border checkpoint "Pererov-Bialowieza"
The checkpoint "Pererov" is not round-the-clock. It works only during the day - 1 October to 31 March from 10.00 to 20.00 and from 1 April to 30 September from 9.00 to 21.00.

For reference:
The capacity of the checkpoint "Pererov" is:
  • rated capacity is 400 people per day; 146,000 people a year;
  • actual capacity is 100 people per day; 2,100 people a year.

August 29, 2013 Website "BelTeleRadioCompany" Video: Belovezhskaya Pushcha has long been a favorite destination for tourists

About 500,000 visitors including foreigners come annually to the forest reserve. Part of the national park is located in Belarus and other is in Poland. However, tourists today have a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this Forest on both sides. Reporter Victoria Potonya knows what is needed to get it.

The checkpoint "Pererov" is green in every sense. It is located in the oldest forests of Europe - in the Bialowieza Forest. The queue of honking cars is absent here too. Only for cyclists and pedestrians are allowed to cross the border. There is only one green corridor for customs control.

"Pererov-Bialowieza" is the transition with no importing commodities. So, you cannot bring a television receiver, for example. According to the border guards, the national boundary are most often crossed by residents of near-border villages and tourists on bikes.

The crossing point was opened in 2005. However, the Belarusian border guards did not have its own premises and rented rooms of Polish colleagues. The construction of a modern complex on its own territory began last year. And today the grand opening is taking place.

Boechko Alexander, Chairman of the State Border Committee of Belarus, "All the modern technology is available at this border crossing. That is the system is fully adapted to the border system of border and customs control. This system is a part of the national one, so there are all the latest data. Moreover, the checkpoint is absolutely autonomous. It has its own well and even diesel for the case if the industrial electricity is lost, as well as own proper heating."

The checkpoint can serve about 400 people per day. The priority is for tourists. Experts of the National Park have counted that in case of the well-organized export of tourist services on both sides, the Reserve could earn about 3 million Euros per year. Now the problem on the admission for the organized groups under the simplified scheme to the entire area of Belovezhskaya Pushcha is considered in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Alexander Bury, Director General of the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha", "We made and are making this offer due to the fact that we have built the significant object to provide a simplified visa control in the form of a green card. It needs that anyone tourist could get it for at least a day and visit the Park. It is very important to both the National Park of Poland and for our Park."

In the future it is possible that a similar checkpoint will appear in one more section of the Belarusian-Polish border, near the Ukraine - "Tomashovka-Vladava".

(Video can be viewed by downloading the file from here, in Russian)
August 29, 2013 Website "Belnovosti.by" A crossing for pedestrians and cyclists at the Belarusian-Polish border in Belovezhskaya Pushcha to be equipped

click to enlarge in the new window
On Wednesday the 28th August, the Belarusian part of the international border pedestrian and bicycle crossing "Pererov-Bialowieza" was inaugurated.

According to the information portal "Virtual Brest", the border crossing was placed on the section of the road R-81 within the area belonging to the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha".

The uniqueness of the opened object is that only pedestrians and cyclists can use it to cross the Belarusian-Polish border. In its technical characteristics, the road allows the movement of cars, but it is not used for these purposes because this area has a status of the nature reserve.

The capacity of the pedestrian and bicycle crossing "Pererov-Bialowieza" to pass through the border between Belarus and Poland is 400 people a day.
August 29, 2013 Website "Femina.by" To reach by bike in Poland from Belovezhskaya Pushcha

The first bicycle and pedestrian crossing point "Pererov – Bialowieza" is open after modernization.

The press service of the State Border Committee of Belarus informs that the Belarusian-Polish checkpoint with the complete service is open in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. This is the first checkpoint where motorists will not be allowed. It is because the protected area for both sides of the border. But tourists traveling on foot or by bicycle will be happy. Now, Belarusians will be able to see not only our own part, but also the Polish one of Belovezhskaya Pushcha.

Of course, thanks to the opening of the checkpoint there is hope to increase the number of visitors to Belarus and to promote international cooperation with European nature reserves, because the Bialowieza Forest is the oldest forest in Europe and has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Pererov-Bialowieza operates only during daylight hours. At the moment it is able to pass about a hundred people a day, but there are plans in the near future to increase this number by four.
August 29, 2013 Website "Interfax" International bicycle and pedestrian border crossing "Pererov"-"Bialowieza" is re-open after its modernization

After modernization the international bicycle and pedestrian border crossing "Pererov"-"Bialowieza" is opened at the heart of Belovezhskaya Pushcha. It Tourists, whose route passes through Belarusian and Polish parts of the Reserve, can take advantage by using it.

The State Border Committee (SBC) emphasized that the "Pererov"-"Bialowieza" serves to pass only pedestrians and cyclists - the citizens of all countries of the world. "Roads that pass to the checkpoint technically allow the movement of cars. But they are not used for this purpos because of the protected status of these area," as stated in the SBC.

"The commissioning of the new facility will promote the effective integration of tourism in the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" into the regional network of tourist sites and routes. Thus, it provides a logical completion in a comprehensive infrastructure of the tourist area of Belovezhskaya Pushcha and creates real preconditions for increasing exports of tourism services with the ability to bringing foreign funds into our country," as said in the press service of the Border Committee.

"The increased capabilities of the border crossing after upgrading will also provide to serve the increasing flow of people across the state border. It is made with regard for the implementation of the adopted state programs aimed at increasing the tourism attraction, the foreign trade and the development of good-neighborly relations with neighboring countries. This will also contribute to create conditions to facilitate cooperation between European protected areas with respect to trans-boundary World Heritage Site "Bialowieza Forest", joint researches and implementation of youth environmental education projects," as emphasized in the press-service.

The checkpoint "Pererov" is not twenty-four-hours. It will serve only during the day time: from 1st October to 31st March from 10.00 to 20.00 and from 1st April to 30th September from 9.00 to 21.00.

The capacity of the checkpoint "Pererov" is:

  • rated capacity is 400 people per day
  • 146,000 people a year
  • actual capacity is 100 people per day
  • 2,100 people a year
For the year 2011 only 3,139 people were executed

  • Entry – 1,495 people
  • Exit – 1,644 people
For 2012 only 3,994 people were executed

  • Entry - 1,999
  • Exit - 1,995
August 29, 2013 Website "Real Brest" A pedestrian and bicycle crossing to Poland appears in Belovezhskaya Pushcha

In the section served by the Dzerzhinsky's Brest Red Banner Border Group, the ceremony of opening the Belarusian part of the International Border Checkpoint "Pererov-Bialowieza" was held on August 28.


The event was attended by the Chairman of the State Border Committee of Belarus Colonel Alexander Boechko, Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee Konstantin Sumar, Director of Infrastructure of Podlaskie Province Eva Stahovicz, representatives of border and customs services, and the local authorities of Belarus and Poland.


The checkpoint "Pererov" was opened in 2005. Its name comes from the village of its location with the same name. It is located on the road P-81, 15 meters away from the state border of Belarus, in the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" (Pruzhansky district, Brest region). The contiguous Polish checkpoint "Bialowieza" is in front of the checkpoint "Pererov".


Construction of the object made by the State Border Committee began in November 2012 and was carried out at the expense of the national budget. Finances were allocated under the State Investment Program to improve the infrastructure of state border of Belarus. Design and construction documents were developed by general designer – the State Unitary Design and Survey Company "Institute BrestStroyProekt". The construction was carried out by general contractor – the Unitary Enterprise "Kamenets PMK-14". Total construction cost is more than 17 billion Rubles (~$1.9 million).

The checkpoint complex includes administrative and technical buildings, fire tank, parking for three cars, treatment facilities of the underground type, two artesian wells and landscaping elements. The administrative building provides facilities for documents' inspection, custom service and staff rooms.

The object is unique, as it is located in the center of Belovezhskaya Pushcha, natural reserves of Belarus and Poland. In this case, it only serves the passage of pedestrians and cyclists. Roads to the checkpoint are technically suitable for the movement of cars, but they are not used for these purposes because of the protected status of this area.

The commissioning of the new facility after its modernization will allow for the effective integration of tourism of the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" into the regional network of tourist sites and routes. Thus, it will provide a logical completion in a comprehensive infrastructure of the tourist area of Belovezhskaya Pushcha and will create real preconditions for increasing exports of tourism services with the ability to attract foreign funds into our country.


Increased capabilities of the border crossing checkpoint after its modernization also enable to provide the service for the increasing flow of people through the state border. It takes into account the implementation of the adopted state programs aimed at increasing tourist attraction, foreign trade and the development of good-neighborly relations with neighboring countries. It will also contribute to creation of conditions for the cooperation of European protected areas with respect to the trans-boundary World Heritage Site "Belovezhskaya Pushcha", joint researches and youth environmental education projects.

The checkpoint "Pererov" is not round-the-clock. It works only during the day - 1 October to 31 March from 10.00 to 20.00 and from 1 April to 30 September from 9.00 to 21.00.

The solemn ceremony was opened by the Chairman of the State Border Committee of Belarus Colonel Alexander Boechko. He noted that this is the second property on the territory of Belarus and expressed the hope that the new facility will serve to strengthen good-neighborly relations of Belarus and Poland in the field of tourism services. Then the floor was by Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee Konstantin Sumar. Chief of the State Unitary Enterprise "Kamenets PMK-14" A.Suslov presented the key to the new building. He said that "the builders put the soul, so that the object looked beautiful and it was convenient to work in." Honorary right to cut the tape was given for Alexander Baechko and Konstantin Sumar.

During the examination of the new checkpoint building and informal communication between Polish and Belarusian delegations, the Poles expressed wishes of more intensive cooperation in the field of joint cultural and sports projects. In response, Mr. Sumar proposed to simplify the procedure for obtaining Polish visas for Belarusian citizens and to seek grants for implementation of the joint Belarusian-Polish environmental projects.

During a press conference, K.Sumar answered reporters' questions about the long-term plans to open the crossing point "Tomashovka-Vladava". He explained that the red and green ways at the checkpoint "Pererov-Bialowieza" are not provided because of no service for commodity import at this checkpoint, and it is designed only for tourists. Mr. Sumar also said there are plans to further develop the infrastructure of the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" that tourists stayed here for a few days, not to be quick in transit.

During the examination of the administrative building, reporters were shown the whole building, which has surprisingly a lot of places to stay for recreation, including eleven toilets! According to information from visitors of the website pogranec.by, it has caused some dissatisfaction with the leadership of the State Border Committee, because really there is no urgent need for such an amount of plumbing, and major areas for recreation are designed for more stuff than it will now work. In fact, there may be only a few border crossings a day (though sometimes in a few hundred). It was argued that the building for the transition is somewhat redundant in its facilities and funding could be cut back.

However, these questions were also responded at the press conference. The construction of the checkpoint followed the example of the Polish side, with the "stock" for the future, with the ability to increase the number of personnel in case of need. The checkpoint is equipped with modern video surveillance system that allows tracking the movement of people within the territory and keeps records of all the cameras within a month.

By the way, some journalists immediately tested the passing system to him by visiting Poland for a few minutes, of course, according to all the rules of the passport control and registration. Surely, this case was the fastest in the history of the border crossing with full customs and border guards' service on both sides.
August 27, 2013 Website "BelaPAN" 2013 Miss Supranational's contestants visited Belovezhskaya Pushcha

click to enlarge in the new window click to enlarge in the new window click to enlarge in the new window click to enlarge in the new window
click to enlarge in the new window click to enlarge in the new window click to enlarge in the new window click to enlarge in the new window
Participants in the international beauty pageant "2013 Miss Supranational" are getting acquainted with our country. This time they visited Belovezhskaya Pushcha, where they were met by Father Frost at his residence. The girls were taken dance around the Christmas spruce tree and dressed up the Snow Maiden.

In addition, the belles saw the king of Belovezhskaya Pushcha – bison, and other animals. Their next stop is in the city of Brest.

Photos by Tomasz Mosionek and Milton Mieloch, BelaPAN
August 27, 2013 Website "Virtual Brest" 2013 Miss Supranational contestants visited Belovezhskaya Pushcha

Participants in the international beauty pageant "2013 Miss Supranational" are getting acquainted with our country. This time they visited Belovezhskaya Pushcha where they were met by Santa Claus at his residence. The girls were taken dance around a Christmas tree and dressed up Snow Maidens.

In addition, the belles saw the king of Belovezhskaya Pushcha - bison and other animals. The city of Brest is their next stop.

Photos by Tomasz Mosionek and Milton Mieloch, BelaPAN
August 26, 2013 Website "Fashion legs" Participants of "2013 Miss Supranational" are in Belovezhskaya Pushcha

Photographic coverage: contestants visited Father Frost.

Girls sow inhabitants of Belarusian forests in the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" and tested Belarusian chocolate.

Belles also visited the residence of the main Belarusian Father Frost. Some were lucky to try on costume of Snow Maiden, while the others were content with the unpretentious shape of Snowflake.


On August 27, member of "2013 Miss Supranational" went to the Radziwill family's residence.

Photos provided by the ONT TV Channel,
Photos by Tomasz Mosionek and Milton Mieloch

To see 20 more photos, please visit the original website
August 24, 2013 Website "BelTeleRadioCompany" Video: Representatives from CIS countries gathered in the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha"

Illegal logging, poaching and forest fires. How to save forests and how to do the work of foresters prestigious? These and other questions are discussed by the participants of the meeting of the Intergovernmental Council for Timber Industry and Forestry during the three days. Representatives from CIS countries gathered in the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha". Particular attention is paid to fires in the state border areas.

Representatives of seven countries are also interested in joint adoption of technological innovation and creation of machinery for the timber industry.

(Video can be viewed by downloading the file from here, in Russian)

August 22, 2013 Website "The National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha"" An Intergovernmental Council

On August 22 and 23, the 13th session of the Intergovernmental Council for Timber Industry and Forestry of the CIS countries is held in the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha".

The Council's session is attended by heads of forest ministers of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Ukraine, by representatives of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the timber industry companies and trade unions, by scientists and other leaders and experts concerned from the states - participants of the CIS.

The Council will discuss the socio-economic development of enterprises of the forest industry of the states - members of the Council, the results of cooperation of the CIS countries in the field of forestry and the prospects for its development, as well as other issues.
click to enlarge in the new window click to enlarge in the new window
click to enlarge in the new window click to enlarge in the new window
The small exhibition presents examples of machinery for forestry, made by Belarusian enterprises.
Since the year of 2013 is declared in the Commonwealth the Year of Environmental Culture and Nature Protection, much attention will be paid to the preservation of historical and cultural heritage related to forests and forestry. Therefore, the Council's meeting is being held in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, famous for its natural, historical and cultural sights. The participants of the forum will get to know them during a tour in the legendary Belarusian forest.
August 21, 2013 "Zarya" (The Dawn) newspaper The National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" hosted the Council on Geodesy, Cartography, Cadastre and Earth Remote Sensing

The meeting of XXXV session of the Interstate Council on Geodesy, Cartography, Cadastre and Earth Remote Sensing took place in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. The Interstate Council is composed of representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and was established in 1992. It provides a coherent policy in relevant areas, and is also developing a normative and technical documentation.

The participants of the session summed up the implementation of decisions of the previous session and discussed the pilot project of the spatial data infrastructure of the CIS countries and proposals to create a common area of geonavigation in the Commonwealth.

By Sergei REKUTS
August 21, 2013 Website "The National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha"" Against forest pests

The National Park annually assesses the health and pathology conditions of forest stands. It allows in proper time to identify cases of mass development of forest pests and take measures to eliminate hotbeds emerged. Since forest stands (spruce ones) are mostly affected by bark beetles, this pest is permanently monitored by using pheromone traps. In addition , the pheromone supervision is carried out for 8 more potentially dangerous needle- and leaf-eating insects (common pine sawfly, pine bombyx, gypsy moth, nun moth, green oak leaf roller, summer shoot, pine moth and wintering shoot).

It is revealed that today the development of the second generation of bark beetles ends. Bark beetle centers are registered in the Wilderness Protection Zone, as well as in the Regulated Nature Zone and Regulated Recreational Use Area, where new ones continue to emerge. On the basis of alarm sheets, 75 outbreaks of xylophages are registered in the National Park, including 71 centers of bark beetles, 3 ones of stenographers and 1 of Vertex barks. The weather conditions (prolonged lack of precipitation) and old age of trees are the main reasons for the development of insects. Mature and over-mature stands are mainly affected, because of reduction in the defense reaction of trees as a result of their physiological weakening. Although the surface of outbreaks is small, sanitary cuttings that will limit the spread of pests and preserve forests of Belovezhskaya Pushcha are conducted in the stands with no restrictions on forestry according to the functional zoning.
August 20, 2013 Website "Argumenty.ru" In Belovezhskaya Pushcha to discuss road safety

On August 26, 2013, the Belarusian National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" will held the International Scientific and Practical Conference "Environmentally safe roads".

As reporters learned from the press service of the CIS Executive Committee,the Intergovernmental Council of Road Workers, the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Belarus and the Holding "BelAvtoDor" are the organizers of the conference.

The purpose of the conference is to exchange the experience in the integration of environmental requirements in the design, construction and maintenance of roads.

The participants will discuss the issues of diagnosis of roads, management in waste processing, recycling and usage in road construction, the impact of vehicles on roads, and monitoring the areas adjacent to roads in their design.

By Herman Napolsky
August 15, 2013 Website "The National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha"" Regional show of hunting trophies

In the last days of July, a regional review of hunting trophies was in the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha". Vladimir Zubkov, an assessor of Republican category on trophies, became "the main character" of the event.

He not only meticulously examined the exhibits but also tried to upgrade the skills of the assembled experts by initiating them into intricacy of the expertise.

At the end of the show, over 20 gamekeepers have been certified to be experts of the second category. Specialists of our National Park were also able to increase their skills in the assessment of trophies.

August 13, 2013 Website "Capital Television (STV)" Competition for the best fairy story for Father Frost is announced in Belovezhskaya Pushcha


The competition for the best fairy story for Father Frost is announced in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. The creative action is timed to the 10th anniversary of the Estate and will last until the end of September. Children and adults are invited to participate.

You can make up stories about the adventures and life of the Pushcha's magician, his Estate and fabulous characters.

The tenth anniversary of the Estate in the National Park will be celebrated in mid-December. The presentation of the Project "Fairytale Map of Russia and Belarus" will be the central event of the festival. During it the First International Fabulous Mile will be open,as reported in the news program "24 Hours" on STV.
August 12, 2013 Website "BelTA" Competition for the best fairy story for Father Frost is announced in the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha"

The competition "Tales of Father Frost" for the best fairy story for the Pushcha's wizard is announced in the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha", as BelTA was told in the tourism department of the National Park.

The creative action is timed to the 10th anniversary of the Father Frost's Estate and will last until late September. Everyone who wishes, regardless of age, can participate in it. Fans of epistolary are invited to invent and write a fairy story about the life and adventures of Santa Claus in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, about his magical estate and real and mythical characters. The winners, who took the first three places, will be granted a free tour to the Estate and a gift from his master - a book about Belovezhskaya Pushcha and a photo on the memory made in the throne room of the residence.

The Estate's owner will also be in the competition jury, which will judge the written works. By the way, the Pushcha's wizard has already got accustomed to working with the correspondence. According to the tourism department of the National Park, more than 10 thousand letters are annually sent to the Belarusian Grandfather Frost. Up to a thousand mail items have a foreign stamp. Among the foreign correspondence the most common letters are from Germany, Russia and China. Such letters in a personal archive of Santa Claus are also from Finland, Spain, the USA, Ireland and Hong Kong.

Children are mostly writing to Farther Frost. They often accompany their letters with drawings, applications and photographs. Most letters contain holiday greetings, invitations to visit an addressee, wishes for peace and health, and at least the request for gifts. As a rule, all children's letters are very positive and colorful, as noted in the tourism department. Farther Frost For is trying to answer each written request.

The tenth anniversary of the estate in the National Park will be celebrated from 13 to 15 December of 2013. The presentation of the Project "Fairytale Map of Russia and Belarus" will be the central event of the festival. During it the First International Fabulous Mile will be open in Pushcha. Direct assistance in the preparation, organization and celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Estate is by the Office of Affairs of the President of Belarus and Brest Regional Executive Committee. the Belarusian Telegraph Agency is the media partner of the Project.

By Svetlana Vechorko
August 09, 2013 Website "Driving" Bison from Belovezhskaya Pushcha


The 9th August of 1944, the State Defense Committee issued to begin the construction an automobile assembly plant (MAZ) in Minsk. A strong Bialowieza bison's figure will be an emblem of the MAZ.

In 1944, the State Defense Committee of the USSR adopted a resolution on the construction an automobile assembly plant in Minsk, which will be the firstling of the Belarusian motor industry. From that day the MAZ counts its biography.

August 07, 2013 "Svislochskaya Gazeta" (The Svisloch Newspaper) newspaper The Intergovernmental Council of the CIS to discuss the prospects of development of forestry

Prospects for development of forestry will be discussed at the 13th session of the Intergovernmental Council for Timber Industry and Forestry of the CIS. The meeting will be held on August 22 and 23 in the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha", as spokesman for the Ministry of Forestry of Belarus Ruzhena Novitskaya said to the BelTA reporter.

The meeting will also consider areas for further socio-economic development of the timber industry and forestry of the countries - participants of the CIS, the issues of the historical and cultural heritage related to forests and forestry, and the results of CIS cooperation in forestry.

------------------
(The news is placed in the short-cut form, the BP-21 Century editor's note)
August 01, 2013 "Belorusskaya Lesnaya Gazeta" (The Belarusian Forest Newspaper) newspaper, No31 (949) Bison become new settlers

We have long been accustomed to the fact that mighty bison has rightly become the symbol of Belarus. And we do not always realize that we are faced with certain difficulties after restoring this endangered large animal. Currently, there are more than one thousand bison in our country. This is the second largest population of bison in the world (after Poland), or a quarter of all bison that live in the wild in other countries and in zoos.

Bison originally inhabited only the Bialowieza Forest. Then the increasing herd became crowded within the limited forest area. The idea of settling of bison and the creation of micropopulations in different regions of the country were successfully realized. Now the relict animals safely inhabit the Nalibokskaya Pushcha, the National Park "Pripyatsky", and the territories of Grodno Osipovichy and Borisov experienced forest enterprises. However, the potential of expanding the living space for these large animals is running out. But the fact is that is very necessary for the preservation and further evolution of the Bialowieza bison line.

In this regard, scientists of Belarus and Russia have developed a draft joint resolution on this issue, which provides the construction a hybrid-breeding center in Belovezhskaya Pushcha to conduct genetic research of animals. At the same time, new free-living herds of bison will consistently be created in Russia. Bison were earlier settled in Karelia, Yaroslavl and Orel regions. There are many places on the vast expanse of our neighbors where bison, if a proper care, will feel almost like at home.

The Scientific and Practical Center for Bioresources at the National Academy of Sciences from the Belarusian side and the Severtsov's Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the Russian Academy of Sciences from the Russia side will supervise the implementation of the planned activities.

"Once the population of bison was revived from only five surviving animals. It had led to depletion of the gene pool, to reduction of the ability for adaptation and, as a consequence, to weakening of the population", General Director of the Scientific and Practical Center for Bioresources Mikhail Nikiforov said. "The hybrid-breeding center will not only examine the weaknesses of Belarusian bison, but will also provide an opportunity to exchange the gene pool of the rare species with other countries and competently organize the crossbreeding of animals. These actions will result in enriching the gene pool of Belarusian bison and enhancing the health of the population."

The recent accession of Belarus to the Berne Convention will also serve the preservation of Bialowieza bison, as it will expand the capacity of the country to participate in projects and programs implemented at the European level.

By Alexander PISKUNOV