Zakarpattia Region is not only the most western and mountainous part of Ukraine. It is also the exact geographical centre of Europe. This important place Ukraine protects as a reserve area what is very symbolic. Here is established one of the largest natural reserves in Ukraine - the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve (from now on - Carpathian BR). I was born and grew up in the territory of the Carpathian BR, and it still plays an important role in my life. 

The protected area covers almost 60 thousand hectares of land, most of them are covered on the forests of the Carpathian Mountains. The relief is different between sharp changes in elevations from 170 to 2061 meters above sea level, and the climate has a variety of high climatic zones. There is protected unique areas of virgin forests, which are home for a lot of rare species of plants and animals.

Most of the Carpathian BR is covered with beech virgin forests. In 2007, the Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is just only one natural object of Ukraine which is represented in this document of planetary significance. Now “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe” include ancient and old-fashioned beech forests of 12 European countries. Primaeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians. This forest is located in an area approximately 9 thousand hectares, and it is unique. It was not cut down and did not plant trees here for centuries. Biologists call such a forest pristine or primaeval and cherish as the apple one's eye. These arrays are the standard woodland of the Carpathians; there is one place where nature develops in accordance with the laws of the Lord. Here are a large number of trees, which are more than three hundred years old. This ancient wood is significant for forest ecosystems and can be called cunabula of a new life. Scientists are convinced that this woodland is the lungs of Europe. It is the largest vegetable filter of Europe’s atmosphere. 

This year Carpathian BR celebrated 50 years. And as a part of the celebration was organize an International Scientific Conference “Problems of Mountain Ecosystem Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Resources in the Carpathians” where I had the opportunity to participate.

Lastly, I want to emphasize an important role of biosphere reserves and their ability to take up important challenges, such as loss of biodiversity, climate change, tourism and natural disaster prevention. Biosphere Reserves are our sustainable future.