Of 128 nature reserves operating in the USSR (as of 1 January, 1981) only 11 were located in the Far North and of 21 existing republic sanctuaries in the RSFSR only one lay in the Far North. The authors survey the existing nature reserves and sanctuaries, outlining the history of development and major features of each and also examine proposals which have surfaced at various times for nature reserves and sanctuaries in the different parts of the North. They conclude by making a number of suggestions for creation of a number of new nature reserves and preserves with a view to achieving better representation of the ecological diversity of the Far North within protected zones of various types.