KHOTYNSKY National Park

KHOTYNSKY National Park started its work on the 2 of September, 2011. It covers an area of 9431,7 hectares, 5662 hectares belong to the Dniester River basin. Valuable natural, historical and cultural complexes of three districts — Khotyn, Sokyryany and Kelmenetsky are located on the territory of the KHOTYNSKY National Park.

Relief of the KHOTYNSKY National Park is formed by canyon valley of the Dniester river and its right tributaries. Deciduous forests and meadow-steppe areas on rocky placers are typical for this locality. The structure of the park includes dozens of objects belonging to natural reserve fund. In particular, more than 30 caves were explored, the highest waterfall in Bukovyna (with the height of ;— 30 m.), situated in the village of Hrynyachka, which originates from a mighty karst spring. The Dniester reservoir is considered to be a peculiarity of the KHOTYNSKY National Park.

There are 520 vascular plant species on the territory of the National Park, 42 of them are included into the lists of rare species, on the international and national levels. There are such rare species as: Huperzia selago (nothern firmoss, not forming ears), Ophioglossum vulgatum (adder's-tongue), Cypripedium calceolus (the largest orchid), chlorophylless orchids, Corallorhiza trifida (early coralroot), Epipogium aphyllum (ghost orchid) and other rare plants.

Fauna of the KHOTYNSKY National Park is also rich and diverse. More than;— 70% of the Chernivtsi region's fauna is represented here. Invertebrates are mostly represented by insects, molluscs, crustacea, spiderlike. 37 of these species are rare, 17 are included into the Red Book of Ukraine; 16 - to the European Red List. Also, the National Park is rich in the populations of Capreolus, wild boar, badger. Wild cat is a rare animal here. Also, the black stork was seen on the territory of the park.

The fish fauna of the Dniester reservoir is regarded to be of great value — there are such rare fish species here as: auspius, vimba, umbra.

The most interesting tourist sites in KHOTYNSKY National Park are historical and architectural monuments (for instance, Khotyn Fortress) and recreational areas (coast of the Dniester reservoir).