Erzi Nature Reserve

Erzi Nature Reserve (Russian: Эрзи заповедник) (also Erzee) is a Russian 'zapovednik' (strict nature reserve) located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus in the Dzheyrahsky Assinsky-basin, adjacent to the Skalisty Range (a chain of mid-height mountains that runs parallel to the main ridge of the Caucasus, but just to the north). Rivers in the reserve include the Assa and Armkhi that feed into the Terek River. The northern third of the territory is forested, the ridge area is alpine meadows and mountain steppe. Over 160 historical and cultural sites are also protected by the reserve - martial towers, temples, necropolis tracts, sacred groves, and structures from ancient, medieval and later cultures, many of the Ingush people. The reserve is situated in the Dzheyrakhsky District of Ingushetia.