Kulyagash

The Kulyagash (name originates from the Mari language; Tatar: Cyrillic Көләгәш, Latin Kölägäş or Tatar: Cyrillic Көләгеш, Latin Kölägeş; Russian: Кулягаш, Кулигаш, Кулегаш, Кулягеш, Kulyagash, Kuligash, Kulegash, Kulyagesh) is the biggest wetland in Tatarstan, Russian Federation. It consists of Kulyagash swamp and several lakes. It is situated in Belaya and Ik Rivers interfluvial, Aktanyshsky District, at the east of Tatarstan, near the border with Bashkortostan. The area of the wetland is estimated as 22,000 ha. Kulyagash stretches from west to east 17.5 kilometers (10.9 mi), from north to south 10 kilometers (6.2 mi). The most notable lakes in the wetland are Atyr, Kinder-Kul, Azybeyevskoye, Syulyale-Kul, the biggest being, however elongate Kulyagash Lake. There are forests at the several islands in the swamp.

Since 1978 it is endanged by Nizhnekamsk Reservoir, which is now at 62 meters above sea level, but it is planned to fill it up to 68 to flood Kulyagash totally.

The wetland was formed by meandering Ik and Belaya. Several species of plants, such as Andromeda polifolia, Scheuchzeria palustrus, Oxicoccus palustrus, Eriophoeum vaginatum, Salix myrtilloides, mentioned in the local Red Book, as well as rare Najas major, Nymphaea alba, Nuphar pumila, Leersia oryzoides, Calamagrostis neglecta, C.phragmitoides, Ligularia sibirica and Betula humilis inhabit the area. Kulyagash is proposed to be included to Ramsar sites in Russia.

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