The Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was listed in 2008 as a unique natural monument. It is located in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn depression, just 1.5 hours drive from Nursultan. The reserve was founded in 1968 in order to preserve the rich flora and fauna of this zone. This is the first biosphere reserve in Kazakhstan recognized by UNESCO.
The reserve is valuable for its important ecological and biological processes taking place on its territory. The ecosystem of this area is unique and is an extensive platform not only for tourism, but also for studying.
The object has 443 species of plants, 45 species of mammals and 363 species of birds, more than 42 of which are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Фото: Александр Федулин
Migratory and waterfowl are the visiting card of the reserve. They attract the special attention of tourists. On the territory, visitors can observe rare species of pelicans and a population of pink flamingos, which arrange their nesting colonies on small islands located in the middle of Lake Teniz. This is the northernmost nesting point in the world. However, as the head of the Department of Science, Information and Monitoring of the Korgalzhynsky Reserve Alexander Fedulin noted, the number of flamingos has been gradually decreasing lately.
Фото: Александр Федулин
In order to look at rare birds with their own eyes, tourists usually come in spring and summer. At the end of April, the shores of lakes Tengiz and Korgalzhyn are covered with a colorful carpet of Schrenka tulips listed in the Red Book. Since May, eco-routes on the territory of the reserve begin to function.
According to the Department of Science of the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve, approximately 85% of visitors are citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, all the rest are guests from near and far abroad.
Фото: Александр Федулин
In winter, wild animals can be found in steppe areas: foxes, saigas, hares, ermines. In winter, ice fishing opens, which helps to increase the fish productivity of reservoirs and save aquatic life from extinction. Fishing on the territory of the reserve is allowed only during this period.
The Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve carefully monitors the protection of the natural zone in order to prevent unauthorized arrivals to the protected area. To combat poaching, cordons are also located here, in which inspectors are on duty around the clock, operational raid groups work in more remote areas.
Фото: Александр Федулин
Three eco-routes run through the reserve, each of which is distinguished by the number of tourists in the group and the duration of the passage time. First of all, visitors are gathered in the visitor center, where the water and steppe halls are located. There are guided tours for groups and scientific and educational films are shown here.
Eco-routes through the reserve were developed in accordance with the capture of ecosystems similar to habitats and clusters of animals located in the forbidden zone of the reserve. The most popular eco-route among tourists is considered to be “Akku”, with a length of 90 km. This route allows visitors to see more animals living in the region.
“A lot of work is being done for the development of the public defender. The Department of Science monitors the biodiversity of the region, the information received is entered into a centralized monitoring system. The Global Environmental Fund within the framework of the UN Development Program has been working on the basis of the Korgalzhyn Reserve for about 7 years. The activity of this project was to improve the management of a specially protected natural area. Thanks to this work, leading biologists of Kazakhstan were involved and studies of the territory of the state reserve were conducted. In the course of the project, methods for monitoring flora and fauna were developed and approved, then implemented at all protected natural sites in Kazakhstan. The results of scientific research are the discovery of new species of animals, both of regional and international significance, thereby declaring themselves and attracting the attention of scientists around the world,” Alexander Fedulin said.
The main goal of the management of the Korgalzhynsky Reserve is to preserve the nature of this area in its original form, without disturbing the fragile state of its flora and fauna. The natural area has been expanding and being studied for 50 years, and to this day retains its natural appearance.
Авторы статьи – Светлана Цхе и Дина Ораз.
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