The Ubsunur Hollow Biosphere Reserve in the Republic of Tyva marks its 25^th anniversary. The biosphere reserve opened in 1993 and comprised five cluster areas. By 2000, four more areas were included in the reserve. In 2003, Ubsunur Hollow was put on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Tyva contains the biggest part of snow leopards’ habitat. The republic is home to two large groups of snow leopards. One is based in western Tyva, on the Shapshal and Tsagan-Shibetu mountain ridges, and the other in the Sengelen highlands in southeastern Tyva.  Snow leopards can be found in other areas as well, including the Chikhachev, Khan-Deer, Alashsky, Tannu-Ola and Obruchev ridges. The total population of snow leopards in Tyva does not exceed 60-70 animals, half of which inhabit the western part of the republic, the Mongun-Taiginsky and Bai-Taiginsky districts.