The Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve is one of the first and largest in the whole of Central Asia. Visiting it, you can get acquainted with some rare representatives of flora and fauna, which are nowhere else in the world.
General information
The Aksu-Dzhabaglinsky Reserve is located (photo see the article) in the mountains of Talas Alatau (Western Tien Shan). Its total area is 131, 934 ha. This oldest conservation area, founded in July 1926, is protected by the state. Administratively, the reserve is located in the South Kazakhstan region (Tulkubassky district). Nearby is the border of the Talas region of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.
In the vastness of this wonderful natural zone, a huge number of species of vegetation grows. In Aksu-Jabagly, nature has collected unique creations. The emblem of the reserve is Greig's tulip, whose petals have a rare crimson color and their length reaches 15 cm.
sights
The central part of the Aksu-Dzhabaglinsky Reserve is occupied by the Aksu Canyon, whose depth is approximately 1, 800 m. This area is a paleontological site with ancient drawings on the rocks.
The amazing landscape of these places is complemented by picturesque gorges (Zhabagly and Kaskabulak) with ancient rock paintings, as well as Aksu Canyon. Nearby places in the areas adjacent to the protected area also deserve attention. For example, the “Red Hill” (Greig’s tulips bloom here), the grave of Shunkulduk (buy), as well as the stalactite cave and Capter.
Mountain lakes (Ainakol, Kyzylzhar, Oimak, Kyzylkenkol, Koksakkol and Tompak), rivers, etc. are also attractive.
In Aksu-Dzhabaglinsky Reserve, 10 routes have been developed for travelers to develop ecological tourism. Along with nature objects, medieval cities (Isfijab, Sharafkent), barrows (about 60 km from Zhabagly), Baibarak spring (holy place) and images on the rocks are of interest. In the villages of Baldyberek and Yalta, they are engaged in folk crafts.
Also interesting are the national traditions carefully preserved by the people - “bet ashar” and “tsau kesu”, which are respectively a wedding and a celebration of the first steps of the child. Typical local products are beshbarmak, espe, kurdak, kurt and koumiss.
Fauna
The most widespread inhabitants of the Aksu-Dzhabaglinsky reserve are birds. Of the 267 species of birds, 130 nest in the protected area, and 11 are listed in the Red Book. Of the 11 species of reptiles that live in the reserve, the legless yellow lizard is also listed in the Red Book. Ulars, partridges, nightingales, paradise flycatchers, blue birds, etc. live here.
About 60 species of mammals live in the reserve. Representatives of the fauna are: a snow leopard, a bear, a white-clawed bear, a mountain goat, a long-tailed marmot, a wolf, a lynx, a fox, small mammals (ground squirrels, mice), etc. The rarest of these are the mountain goat, red deer, argali, muskrat and stone marten.. 10 species of mammals are listed in the Red Book, including the snow leopard, the Mensbourg marmot, Western Tien Shan and argali. The fish fauna consists of 7 species.
Flora of Aksu-Dzhabaglinsky reserve
The flora of the reserve includes 1, 737 species of vegetation, including 235 varieties of mushrooms, 63 species of bryophytes and algae, about 64 species of lichens and 1, 312 higher plants.
There are growing juniper, birch, mahaleb cherry, Talas poplar, walnut, pistachio, various shrubs and dense grassy vegetation. Greig and Kaufmann tulips grow in the reserve.
Paleontological branch of Aksu-Dzhabaglinsky reserve
There is a branch of paleontological burials in two adjacent sites - Karabastau and Akbastau, located on the slopes of the Karatau ridge. Regarding the reserve, this place is located several tens of kilometers in the valley of the river. Burundi. In a shallow layer of snow here you can find the rarest prints of petrified fish, turtles, mollusks, insects and many plants of the ancient Jurassic period. These are the remains of traces of the inhabitants of the marine basin. Their age is approximately 120 million years.
Although the area of these two burial sites in the shales of the Jurassic period is not very large (120 ha), its scientific significance is enormous. Thanks to such finds, the historical stages of the development of the organic world are traced.
