Unique places on the Dnister
Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park
Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park (Podilski Tovtry) is located on the territory of Horodok, Chemerivtsi, and Kamianets-Podilskyi district in Khmelnytslyi region. In 2018, the park became one of the seven natural wonders of Ukraine. Since 13 July 2017, the massif “Sataniv Dacha” (212,01 ha) of the Podilski Tovtry was assigned the status of UNESCO world`s heritage.
Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park is one of the seven natural wonders of Ukraine
The total area of the park is 261 316 hectares, where 4 536 hectares is a private area of the Podilski Tovtry. It is the largest park in Ukraine and one of the largest in Europe.
The unique man-made objects and natural complexes located on the territory of the park create exceptional conditions for the development of tourism. There are 161 protected natural objects, among which are parks and homesteads of cultural and historical value. There are also 19 archeological sites, more than 300 historical and architectural landmarks (including over 200 monuments in Kamianets-Podilskyi).
The microclimate of Transnistria (near Kamianets-Podilskyi) is formed by the Tovtry ridge, the Dnister Canyon, and its tributaries. Hence, the special conditions were created here for the preservation of rare and relict plants, most of which are used in medicine. For instance, there are 2 977 species of plants from different climatic zones in Kamianets-Podilskyi Botanical Garden.
Large reserves of mineral waters (such as "Naftusia", "Myrgorodska", "Minska" etc) were found on the territory of the park. The debit of such sources averages 60 cubic meters per day.
One of the indicators of ancient flora here is the existence of over 64 types of relict species, among which the dwarf sedge, the spindle, the Shirerekia Podilska, the laser trilobum, the common ivy, the hart's-tongue fern, great horsetail, etc. It worth to mention that the vast majority of these plants grow in rare biotypes.
The Red Data Book of Ukraine (2009) includes 77 species of 46 genera, 22 families, 3 classes and 2 divisions. A biodiversity international list contains 38 species: IUCN - 4 (the Shirerekia Podilska, cultivated garlic), European List - 5 (the Shirerekia Podilska, Chamaecytisus Podilskyi), Annex 2 of the Berne Convention - 6 species (greater pasque flower, cutleaf anemone, Chamaecytisus blockianus), ICTS - 27 species (mainly species from the Orchidoideae family). The Red Data Book contains 5% of rare species of flora of the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park, which is 1,4% of the total flora in Ukraine (although the park occupies only 0, 42% of the territory of Ukraine).
Today there are over 50 species of fish in the reservoirs of the park. About 5 fish species are endemic to the area. Several species are registered in the Red Data Book of Ukraine and require additional protection measures.
Among invertebrates, which live on the territory of the Podilski Tovtry, the insects are the most explored. About 40 species of insects are included in the Red Data Book (for example: beautiful demoiselle, emperor dragonfly, golden-ringed dragonfly, forest caterpillar hunter, musk beetle, great capricorn beetle, stag beetle, sail swallowtail, swallowtail, southern festoon, poplar admiral, purple emperor, giant peacock moth, tau emperor, scarlet tiger moth, violet carpenter bee, hornet robberfly, etc)
There are several functional zones in the park: protected area; zone of regulated recreation; stationary recreation zone and commercial property. In these zones, there are stationary recreational establishments (medical centers, dispensaries, campsites, rest sites, etc), about 160 industrial enterprises, collective and individual farms that harm nature. Therefore, the main task of the Podilski Tovtry is to protect natural diversity, create organized recreation and rest areas. The production of environmentally friendly food and raw materials are organized on the territory of the park.
Interesting Facts
Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park is the Ukrainian equivalent of the barrier reef. Once, an ancient sea was in its place. It was warm enough and rich in nutrients for organic life to flourish.
Among all this variety of organisms, microscopic polyps were particularly interesting. These creatures learned to gather lime from water and turn it into their own solid shell. After their death, the shells settled on the site of the colony, layering for centuries. Gradually, the mountains formed from these small fragments of limestone.