Mari Forest

The Mari Forest or Mariy Chodra is a national park, located largely in Morkinsky, Zvenigovsky, and Volzhsky [District, Mari El Republic|Volzhsky Districts] of the Mari [El Republic], Russia. The park has an area of and was established in 1985.

Flora and fauna

Mariy Chodra was created to protect rare plants: more than 115 rare plant species are documented. There are fourteen tourist routes in the park; the most popular attractions being Yalchik, Glukhoye, and Kichiyer Lakes, the rafting on the Ilet and Yushut Rivers, Pugachov's Oak, and the Maple [Mountain, Mari El|Maple Mountain].
There are more than fourteen tourist centers in Mariy Chodra, which play a major role in the recreation of the republics of Mari El, Tatarstan, and Chuvashia.