About fund Project «Kabarga»

About fund

FOCUS AREAS

Protection, preservation and rehabilitation of the biological diversity: protection of the animal species, which are on the verge of extinction, including the Siberian musk deer, snow leopard, argala and others.According to the WWF (https://new.wwf.ru/), the current rate of extinction of various species by far exceeds the rate of the natural evolution. 10-17% of all world species are considered endangered or on the verge of extinction; 15% of vertebrate animals and 4% of higher plants in Russia are classified as endangered. Loss of the natural habitat, poaching, environmental pollution, climate change and deforestation are the threats that bring the species to the verge of extinction.

Objectives of the fund

The Fund seeks to initiate, implement, gain support and coordinate efforts of the interested federal, municipal, state and private commercial and non-profit organizations as well as individuals to protect, preserve, rehabilitate and facilitate the public access to cultural and natural heritage sites; to outsource funding for fostering conservation measures and facilitate the execution of the directives of V.V. Putin, the President of the Russian Federation on the environmental protection and friendliness.

KABARGA Fund

The Fund For Conservation of the Belukha World Heritage Site is a non-profit organization established and funded by a group of individuals. The Fund’s vision consists in the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the natural heritage sites, geological and physiographical formations and precisely delineated areas of outstanding universal value and their biological diversity.

The Fund is incorporated in Gorny Altai, Russia, a unique eco area, which displays a complete sequence of altitudinal vegetation zones including steppe, forest-steppe, mixed forest, alpine fields and the glacier mountain of Belukha (the Altai name is Uch-Sumer or ‘three-headed mountain’).

Project «Kabarga»

The Fund For Conservation of the Belukha World Heritage Site in cooperation with the Federal Biomedical Agency of the Russian Federation and Uch-Sumer, ZAO and the Belukha Nature Park have started the restoration of the Altai population of the Siberian musk deer which have been rapidly decreasing due to the severe amount of poaching. A mere entry of the species in the Red Book of Russia, in absence of the preservation and breeding measures, does not safeguard the population of the species from extinction.

Measures to be taken within the project:

With the support of the Fund, over 10 inspectors will complete a special training program to effectively identify and prosecute poachers

Breeding of the Siberian musk deer and populating the most suffered wild nature areas with the species

Elaboration of methodical recommendations for the local community (hunters, farmers and agricultural producers) on husbandry and safe extraction of musk without killing the animal

COLLABORATION STRATEGY

The Fund seeks to create a partnership of all interested parties to jointly implement various programs on environmental protection and sustainable management of natural resources of the Belukha World Heritage Site. The Fund’s partners include the UNESCO representative in Russia, various international funds, Russian federal, regional and local authorities, national and international non-profit organizations, institutes and universities, and local communities.

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EXPECTED RESULTS

Identifying the distribution and population of the Siberian musk deer in Altai employing modern methods, such as trail cameras and DNA analysis.
Initiation of the anti-poaching activities and fight with the illegal hunting methods.
Projects for reducing collision between various endangered species, such as snow leopard and argali, and сattle-farmers in the southeastern part of Altai
Implementation of a program for small and medium enterprise development; primarily in the field of environmental and agricultural tourism for locals as a healthy alternative to poaching.
Establishing cooperation between Russia, Kazakhstan, China and Mongolia on the study and preservation of the animals in cross-border areas.

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