Buffer Zones of World Natural Heritage Sites in Russian and Foreign Practice

The paper analyzes international legal structure of the buffer zone and covers the use of buffer zones in various types of human activities. The different functional orientations of buffer zones are noted, united by their common purpose — smoothing out social conflicts. The genesis of this phenomenon in the international regulatory system and national legal orders is considered, and the special role of the experience of creating buffer zones in the system of biosphere reserves is shown. The legal framework governing the buffer zone regime in the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage has been subjected to a detailed analysis. The foreign practice of creating buffer zones at world natural heritage sites is studied, and the diversity of their spatial configuration and functional orientation is shown. The features of creating buffer zones of World Natural Heritage sites in Russia are analyzed. Various options for implementing the recommendation of the monitoring mission of the World Heritage Centre and the International Union for Conservation of Nature to create a buffer zone of Lake Baikal as a World Heritage Site are shown.