REPORT: Down the Yaselda: a new tourist cluster is being created in three districts of the Brest region

About the region of ecological entrepreneurship "Valley of the river Yaselda" in the Berezovsky district started talking a few years ago. The name of the future cluster was given by the river, which flows like a winding ribbon from the northwest to the southeast of the Brest region, originating from Belovezhskaya Pushcha and flowing into the Pripyat in the vicinity of Pinsk, stringing like diamonds, swamps, lakes, tributaries and canals. The main diamond in this necklace, of course, is the Sporovsky nature reserve. He is given a key role in the new project "Landscape-oriented development of rural areas of the Yaselda River Valley with the participation of the local population", which united three districts - Berezovsky, Drogichinsky and Ivanovsky. The applicant for the project was the Berezovsky District Executive Committee, and the partners - the Local Environmental Fund "

When Ivan and Valentina Karpuki, having retired, settled on a farm near the village of Vysokoe, the agroestate was not part of their plans: the couple simply wanted to change the bustle of the city for a secluded life in their parents' house in the bosom of nature. The idea was suggested by guests and visiting tourists - the places here are too beautiful! The manor is surrounded by a picturesque old garden, a wall of forest separates it from the road, from a hill there is a breathtaking view of the endless Sporovsky swamps.

"My husband said: maybe let's try it? This is how our farmstead "Zapovednoye" appeared. We got into the taste, and we really liked it. We are glad that we are making a small contribution to the tourist attractiveness of our region, - says Valentina Karpuk. - The very location of the farmstead, its authenticity suggests a secluded holiday. Our guests like it. We try to accept small groups, up to 15 people. We have a weekend getaway, there are no overnight stays yet, but I hope there will be soon."

Agriturismo "Zapovednoe" became a partner of the application of the Striginsky village executive committee "Application of eco-technologies in agrotourism", which won the first competition of local development initiatives. 11.2 thousand euros were allocated for its implementation under the project. And now two nice guest houses-huts with panoramic windows overlooking the swamp are growing in the estate.

"The walls around the perimeter will be equipped with boxes filled with fresh hay - for warmth and aroma. It will be updated. Old hay can be shaken out and new hay mowed. Those who wish can do it themselves. We call this a modern-style hut house, because it is made from natural materials: wood, reed and hay," says Ivan Karpuk.

The roof of this "hotel under the stars", as the owners jokingly say, is made of reed mats. The technology of their production and the machine on which reed stalks are pressed, Ivan Karpuk invented and built himself, according to his own drawings. The thickness of one such mat is about 15 cm. The quality check took place during the first autumn rains - the roof in the huts did not leak. “Once upon a time, all the buildings were so covered - with straw or reeds,” the owner of the farmstead notes. “Now there are very few such houses in the district. And, unfortunately, there are no craftsmen who can do this.”

In total, about 2 tons of cane were harvested for the project. “This is how they solve the problem of overgrowing the swamp and test ways to use natural materials - they return to the old or come up with a new one,” said Alena Opolko, project coordinator. “We want local residents to understand that living near the reserve is interesting and profitable. We need to learn how to monetize this advantage "The main thing is not to be afraid and see the possibility of development. Little by little, this is already starting to work out. Previously, people had the notion that the reserve is a forbidden territory."

“The problem of the territory is not that it needs to be protected and nothing has to be done. For it to live, it just needs the active participation of man. Because the biotopes themselves here were formed under the influence of people: for centuries these swamps were mowed down, there was not a single bush - was cut down to a blade of grass, - Vadim Protasevich, DIRECTOR of the Sporovsky reserve, joins the conversation. - The task is for the local population to start using the resources of the reserve. For us, this is a problem - reeds, and even more - willows. There are so many options for their use! People could make money on it."

Now up to 1,000 hectares of shrubs and vegetation are mowed in Sporovskoye annually, hand-mowing championships are held. This is not enough yet, but the first results of such attention to the problems of the swamp are already there. “For two years in a row, tourists can see aquatic warblers just from the eco-trail. There are corncrakes, great snipes. You don’t have to go anywhere and sit in ambush for hours. Last year, right on the field where football is held in the swamp, lapwings nested and led their chicks,” - proudly notes the changes in the reserve, its leader.

The local places impressed and attracted Natalya Strok with their opportunities. She lived most of her life in Austria, and fell in love with her husband's homeland. Entrepreneurial vein took over from the active nature. At first, she headed the social and cultural institution "Vysokovskiy Ecological and Ethnographic Center" created under the project, which later became the applicant for the initiative "Revival and sustainable development of goat breeding in the Yaselda River Valley." The maximum amount of the grant was allocated for the implementation of the initiative - 11.4 thousand euros. For this money, they bought more than fifty young goats of dairy breeds, built walking yards and a delivery room for them. Now a nursery group is being prepared for future offspring. The next stage is the construction of the milking parlor. And in the future - and the opening of a home zoo.

"I fell in love with these animals. My relatives note that I mostly only talk about goats now. They are clean, wise, give such a huge amount of care and love! These animals are not only to give MILK or MEAT. They are really social ", feel the state of a person and behave accordingly - they can be importunate and modest, affectionate and playful. One tourist, after talking with them, even had a migraine for many days. This is not only work, but also pleasure. And then it is profitable: the cost of maintaining a goat pays off three times with her milk," the hostess lists the advantages of goat breeding.

According to the terms of the application, the offspring received from the goat herd will be distributed free of charge by the applicants to those who wish. There should be no problems with the sale of milk. The business support center created under the project under the village executive committee has already purchased equipment for the production of cheese from goat's milk. One of the local entrepreneurs is ready to do this. “We want to show that the whole family can be engaged in this business. People will be able to earn money and support themselves on this,” says Natalya Strok.

In total, according to the results of the first competition, 10 initiatives received funding. Among them is the art-plein-air "Polessky etude", the applicant of which is the department of culture of the Berezovsky district executive committee. The event is held by the Bereza children's art school. The plein air itself, which is assigned the role of visualizing the ecoregion, was held in early August and caused a great public outcry. Both amateur artists from different parts of the country and professionals responded to the offer to participate, among them - Professor of the Academy of Arts Yevgeny Shuneiko, master of experimental painting and performance Alexander Rodin.

“We planned that we would have 15 participants from other cities and the same number of local ones. As a result, there were 72 people. They called until the last day and even on the opening day,” says Tatyana Zdanevich, coordinator of the initiative. “Our plein air was held simultaneously at seven venues in four rural councils. Local residents - children, adults, youth became participants. Families came and painted. There were those who took paint in their hands for the first time. We provided everyone with materials. People left their houses, approached the artists, watched how they worked, communicated It's a huge motivation."

Paintings from the open air can now be seen in the premises of the art department of the school. Soon the exhibition will be shown in the local art gallery, and then in other areas - participants in the project. Some of the works will be transferred to the Sporovsky nature reserve, and its visitors will be able to admire them.

This initiative, like all others, is designed for a year and involves many other activities to involve local residents in the world of beauty, develop their creative abilities and self-realization. "Master classes are planned in the technique of painting, batik, painting on glass and wood, the use of natural materials. We teach local residents how to decorate their home, make a souvenir with their own hands, using environmentally friendly products. We go to the regions, to the villages, conduct creative promotions, teach fellow countrymen to love nature through art. This is a kind of isotherapy," concludes Tatyana Zdanevich.

In the future, the organizers intend to hold art plein airs annually. In addition, their new application for organizing an eco-art camp was among the winners of the second competition for local initiatives. Unlike the first one, all eight rural councils of the ecoregion located on the territory of Berezovsky, Ivanovsky and Drogichinsky districts participated in it. The Commission has selected 11 best applications to be implemented over the next year. Five more initiatives were included in the reserve list.

At the same time, a strategy for promoting the Yaselda River Valley region is being developed under the project. The execution of this road map is entrusted to the Sporovsky nature reserve. “At one time we initiated this project, participated in its writing, and now we have no right to make everything stop after its completion. We have big plans, but it’s too early to announce them. In general, we hope that all these initiatives will be included in a chic tourist route. This will be a cluster interaction. People will understand that it is much easier to work together. They are already interested in each other," Vadim Protasevich summed up.

Svetlana VECHORKO,

photo by Vadim YAKUBENKO,

BELTA.