Putorana Plateau

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Putorana Plateau: An Unspoiled Natural Haven in Northern Central Siberia

The Putorana Plateau, officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, lies in the heart of the Putoransky State Nature Reserve, approximately 100 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle in northern Central Siberia. This remote and largely inaccessible region offers a unique opportunity to explore some of the most pristine and diverse ecosystems found anywhere on Earth.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

This site coincides with the area of the Putoransky State Nature Reserve, and is located in the central part of the Putorana Plateau in northern Central Siberia. It is situated about 100 km north of the Arctic Circle. The part of the plateau inscribed on the World Heritage List harbours a complete set of subarctic and arctic ecosystems in an isolated mountain range, including pristine taiga, forest tundra, tundra and arctic desert systems, as well as untouched cold-water lake and river systems. A major reindeer migration route crosses the property, which represents an exceptional, large-scale and increasingly rare natural phenomenon.

UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site

Criterion (vii): A vast and diverse landscape of striking natural beauty, the Putorana Plateau is pristine and not affected by human infrastructure. Its superlative natural features include an extensive area of layered basalt traps that has been dissected by dozens of deep canyons; countless cold water rivers and creeks with thousands of waterfalls; more than 25,000 lakes characterized by a fjord-like formation that is associated with a large variation in the relief. The immense arctic and boreal landscapes remain intact with carpets of lichens and forest that are unusual at such northern latitudes.

Criterion (ix): The property displays a comprehensive set of ecological and biological processes associated with its diverse arctic and subarctic ecosystems. Its bio-geographical location, on the border of the tundra and taiga biomes and at the transition between Western and Eastern Siberian floras, makes the property one of only a few centres of plant species richness in the Arctic. The combination of landscape diversity, remoteness, naturalness and degree of protection are extraordinary. In addition, the property may provide valuable evidence on the impacts of climate change to large-scale natural arctic ecosystems if proper monitoring and research take place.

Encyclopedia Record: Putorana Plateau

The Putorana Plateau or the Putorana Mountains is a mountainous area in Russia. It is a large massif or plateau crossed by mountain ranges. The nearest large settlement is Norilsk, where foreign travel is restricted. The city is served by Alykel Airport.

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IUCN World Heritage Outlook

The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Putorana Plateau reports the following assessment:

Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment