Katon-Karagay area is a part globally-significant Altai-Sayan region, and it possesses unique forests. It imposes on inhabitants of the area responsibility on preservation of the natural resources. With the purpose of the ecosystem preservation Katon-Karagay National park was established in 2002. However, despite of the measures undertaken by the state nature protection bodies, deforestation took place for several decades of the twentieth century has caused reduction of the forest area. The rivers have considerably shoaled, many springs have disappeared, spacious meadows have been formed instead of instead of the wood hills.

Flood-plain forests are intensively cut down by local people for firewood. In spite of the state official moratorium, under a kind of sanitary felling private companies are cutting down the wood. Besides, the growing livestock in conditions of the lost of the pastures traditions has led to degradation of the forests nearby the settlements. Lack of sanitary control over the woods, diseases, especially in coniferous woods extend, no effective preventive measures are undertaken.

No any forestation measures are being taken since he beginning of 90-s'. Complex activity of the nurseries isn?t restored.

Thus, the situation demands attraction of attention to local population, state bodies, NGOs, nature protection organizations to the problem.

The purpose of the project is to realize information campaign directed to raising awareness of the local communities of Katon-Karagay area about antropogenious impact on the forest ecosystems of the region.

The tasks are (i) to carry out a research for reveal authentic level of anthropogenous influence and its consequences on the forests of the area; (ii) distribution of information about the problem and the measures it can be solved among a wide audience, like NGOs. CBOs, local authorities, etc.

Expected results:
Awareness of the local community of the area will raised, and it will promote more responsible attitude to the natureof the region.
Attention of the decision-making focal points to the problem will be attracted.
The population will get information about alternative energy technologies, which will somehow reduce consumption of firewood for heating and cooking.
Creation of public control councils will be initiated to control observance of the environmental norms in the area
Information about the basic legal norms and standards in the area of biodiversity conservation will be spread out among local communities.