The expert council of the Crystal Compass national award has selected the best projects related to geography, ecology and preservation of the natural, historical and cultural heritage. This year, 28 projects made it to the finals, among them the The Snow Leopard – A Living Symbol of the Western Sayan Mountains, presented by the Khakassia branch of the Russian Geographical Society, the Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve and the Khakassky Nature Reserve.

The Snow Leopard – A Living Symbol of the Western Sayan Mountains is a series of environmental measures aimed at studying and preserving the rarest cat in southern Siberia.

Two snow leopards from Tajikistan were released in the Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve (the northern area of the snow leopard’s habitat in Russia) as part of the project. Studies have shown that the new snow leopards are successfully making themselves at home in the nature reserve. Work has also been carried out with the aim of organising an expedition in the Pozarym State Nature Sanctuary of federal importance in Khakassia, which is the Russian part of the snow leopard’s migration corridor.

The Crystal Compass national award was established in 2012. It is an international award for geography, ecology and the preservation and promotion of natural, historical and cultural heritage, presenting the best practical projects for the conservation of the natural, historical and cultural heritage of Russia.