In order to maintain the snow leopard population in the Republic of Tyva, the regional Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has decided to establish a protected area of regional importance, the Buura Nature Sanctuary, in the Ulug-Khem and Chaa-Khol districts.

The future sanctuary is home to 13 rare and endangered animal and bird species, among them the snow leopard. The establishment of this protected area will help in counteracting illegal hunting of the Siberian ibex, the main prey of snow leopards.