A vast nature reserve (about 1.800.000 ha), with a core area of about 1.000.000 ha. The Reserve`s landscapes are representative both for the Western and Eastern Siberia region. There are primeval fir, spruce, lurch and cedar pine forests, raised bogs, permafrost, bottomland and bedrocks landscapes.

The basin approach had been used before the Reserve was founded. Several basins of the small inflows of Yenisei were overall included to the Tsentral`nosibirsky Reserve that is why the largest part of its territory is protected from external pollution.

The Yenisei Biogeographic Border goes through the Reserve`s territory. It divides Palaearctic region to the east and west parts whereupon the level of biodiversity here is really increased when compared with typical taiga. More than 810 species of plants are spread in the Reserve. Some of them, e.g. Cypripedium calceolus L., Cypripedium macranthon Sw., Calypso bulbosa (L.) Oakes.  are especially rare. Fauna of vertebrates is typical for the middle taiga. There are 45 species of mammals (sable, bear, elk, forest reindeer, squirrel etc.), 274 species of birds, 4 species of amphibians and reptiles and 35 species of fish inhabit here. Any species of birds are entered to the Application of SITES Convention. From them Ciconia nigra, Aquila chrysaetos, Haliaeetus albicilla,  Pandion haliaetus, Falco peregrinus nest in the Reserve. Siberian taimen, goldilocks, sturgeon, starlet, conny, Arctic cisco are common for the Reserve, but around of it their number is decreasing. From the invertebrates 3 species of butterflies (swallowtail and apollos) and 3 species of bumblebees are called as the all-round vanishing species.

Significant threats are posed by geological survey and mining operations, logging, poaching (elk and sable are the most vulnerable species) and unlimited fishing (Sibirian taimen, goldilocks, sturgeon, starlet and conny are most vulnerable)

In the core zone there are no human activities. In the buffer zone there is the commercial hunting on fur-bearing animals and ungulates. Fishing, gathering of non-timber forest products and also all types of hunting take place in the cooperation zone (the number of sable and elk is stable and high now). Near the old-believers settlements there is agriculture.