The first segment of the national park, also called Perovo Forest 
or Perovo Lowland Forest Unit, represents the actual Bor (the Russian word for pine forest), which developed on the river terraces formed by the Yenisey. 4,410 hectares of the forest belt next to the Shushenskoe village, mostly Scot’s pine and birch stands, were earmarked for conservation and recreation. Perovo Forest is part of the forest steppe zone, forming a natural transition between mountain taiga and steppe grasslands.
The trees, some over 150 years old, actually grow on sandy dunes d
eposited over the millennia by the Yenisey River. Some of these dunes are still active, i.e. masses of sand are still drifted by wind. The two highest dunes – Sand Hill (Peschanaya gorka) and Crane Hill (Zhuravlinaya gorka) are favourite tourist sites. The first one (318.2 m high) offers splendid views on the Yenisey, Koybalskaya steppe in Khakassia and the often snow-capped Borus. Crane Hill (307.5 m high) is ideal for observing the courtship dances of wild cranes in spring, which clearly explains the origin of the dune’s peculiar name.
There are no rivers or streams in the area, only two natural lakes Perovo and Butakovo – both relics of the Ice Age. The changes in the hydrological regime (drainage of the surrounding area) cause the lakes to gradually disappear to be replaced by swamps and birch groves. Three scenic ponds were created in this segment of the park to enhance the landscape and provide fishing opportunities.
Wildlife
The whole area is rich in flora, with a mixture of Siberian and Central Asian species. The undergrowth is composed by a number of native shrubs that help stabilise the drifting sandy soils. They include; Siberian Peashrub (Caragana arborescens), Altai Honeysuckle (Lonicera altaica), Siberian Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia subsp. sibirica), Siberian or Red-Barked Dogwood (Swida alba), Redhaw Hawthorn (Crataegus sanguinea), Black Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster melanocarpus) and Asian Bird Cherry (Padus avium), many cultivated as decorative bushes in Europe and USA. The more stabile dunes with a layer of soil permit steppe species such as feather grass (Stipa spp.) and others to colonize the dunes. The abundant flowering plants attract many butterflies and moths, e.g. Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) or the somewhat rare Blue Underwing (Catocala fraxini).
The forest is inhabited by typical mammal species such as; Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), Siberian Weasel (Mustela sibirica), Badger (Meles meles), Siberian Roe Deer (Capreolus pygargus), Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and others. Often there are sightings of roaming moose. In addition the lakes and ponds attract waterfowl such as; Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca), Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Asiatic Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus) and migrating Bewick’s Swan (Cygnus bewickii) and Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus). The latter three are recorded in the Red Book of Russia. Rare birds of prey which may be spotted here include the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus), Northern Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) and others. Some of the most interesting birds to be encountered here are the cranes such as the Common Crane (Grus grus) the rare Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) and Demoisele Crane (Anthropoides virgo) – these may all be seen within the park and its surroundings. Moreover in the forest there are also a host of songbirds and woodpeckers.
History
Shushensky Bor obtained the national park status only in 1995, but Perovo Lowland Foresthas been protected since Soviet times. The heightened interest to preserve the patch of secondary pine forest near Shushenskoe village was not sparked by nature conservation objectives as one may think. Primarily it had been declared a historic monument, due to its connection with Vladimir Ilych Lenin, a communist revolutionary known as the main leader of the October Revolution of 1917. He was in exile in Shushenskoe from 1897 to 1900. The house where he spent his time in exile and the wooden shelter ‘Salash’ where he relaxed during his hunting and walking trips in the taiga are the region’s prime attractions to this day. 
Salash, nestled on the little hillock next to Perovo Lake, was built by a local peasant in the 1890s. It is believed that the talks with local impoverished peasants, held there regularly, influenced Lenin in his political pursuits further. The shelter (locally called a peasant’s dacha) is in addition an example of typical 19th century Siberian vernacular architecture. Such wooden huts were typically constructed by peasants with a ‘claim’ (a right to use several acres of forest and pasture land). The huts were used for storage or as a refuge during stormy weather. Other styles of Siberian architecture can be seen in a unique open-air ethnographical museum in Shushenskoe.
Shushenskoe’s contemporary district area was already inhabited in prehistoric times (Palaeolithic period). Remains of several Bronze and Stone Age settlements have been found near the National Park. There are several ‘kurgans’ - tribal chiefs’ burial mounds from the Tagar Culture (7th to 3rd centuries BC) near Kaptyrevo and Shinery, and on Macherkina gorka in Shushenskoe. The Tagar civilization was one of the largest centres of bronze.-smelting in ancient Eurasia
Things to do in Perovo Forest
Perovo Forest is suitable for day trips - even in wintertime. The flagship attractions are its sand dunes (especially Sand Hill and Crane Hill) and Lenin’s Salash at Perovo Lake. The park authority organizes horseback riding and cycling tours. Moreover, Perovo Forest offers a range of further activities and sites to visit:
Part of Perovo Forest was set aside in 1979 and developed into a dendrological park that harbours a 
unique collection of 170 different Siberian and exotic trees and shrubs. Arboretum Berendey also hosts another unusual collection of ‘sculptures’ and wood carvings, both man-made and sculpted by nature. They keep all visitors spellbound. A guided tour (usually 1.5 hours) needs to be booked in advance at the park’s visitor centre.
Berendey, from which the arboretum derives its name, is the ruler of a forest kingdom, a half-mythical character known from the opera Snow Maiden composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1880-1881. He epitomises the mission of the arboretum to bring people closer to the wild nature and to let them discover it through an open-air experience. The Arboretum is a magical place to spend a day at any time of year. Special programmes for groups and school children could be arranged; the most popular amongst children being a visit at Baba Yaga’s House (a witch from Russian folk tales). Otherwise a more extravagant activity is the Nature Blessing for Newlyweds. It is advisable to check with the National Park for the availability of entertainment programmes during your visit.
- Ecological educational trails
The best way to acquaint oneself with Perovo Forest is to take
a guided tour on one of its ecological educational trails. The ‘Nature Experience Trail’ (2.5 km) familiarises the park’s visitors with the national park’s history, its wildlife and the park’s role in nature conservation. It starts at the former Perovo Forestry House which nowadays hosts a little museum devoted to traditional Siberian forestry. Another trail ‘In the Realm of Nature’ (30 km) allows the visitor to see all the main attractions of Perovo Forest - sand dunes (Sand Hill and Crane Hill), Lenin’s Salash, Perovo Lake and arboretum Berendey. This circular trail can be either done on foot (a day trip) or by a car/bus (4 hours). Each attraction on the trail can be visited separately. There are information boards on the trails however they are only in Russian.
Perovo Forest offers many opportunities for enjoying the outdoors.
By quietly strolling through the forest you significantly increase your chances of encountering interesting wildlife. And when you prefer to rest and relax, there are a number of rest shelters with grilling and campfire facilities spread over the Perovo Forest (firewood and litter bins provided). The largest facility with dry toilets and a car park near Butakovo Lake can cater for up to 180 people and can be used for corporate or private group outdoor events. Note that making fires is forbidden except for designated sites.
Other attractions near Perovo Forest
Two ponds with clean water, created in former sand quarries near the edge of Perovo Forest, are used by locals for swimming.
Information for visitors
Visitors are required to pay a small entry fee (collected to maintain the facilities of the park). Shushensky Bor National Park Authority can organize a tour and suitable accommodation in the park. See also the Instructions and rules section to find out more about permitted activities in the national park. More detailed information can be obtained at the official park’s visitor centre or by contacting the Shushensky Bor National Park Authority.
The official national park’s visitor centre
The visitor centre provides information on the area’s natural fea
tures and culture. It is located in an impressive wooden house in the centre of Shushenskoe village (Lugovaya street 9). It has a little museum with interesting collections of minerals and wildlife photographs. The visitors of the centre may also admire two large dioramas made by a local artist depicting the splendour of the park’s two typical landscapes. A small-scale model of the Great Sayan Fortress and original artwork made by local children are on display. You can obtain more information about the park and its services, see a video film or book your place in an interpretive programme or an excursion.
Shushensky Bor National Park Authority
662710 Shushenskoe, Lugovaya 9 (street), tel/fax: 8 39 139 32061
See also the Borus Massif - the second segment of the Shushensky Bor National Park
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