The pearl of this magnificent sunny land is an amazing nature reserve, which is a specially protected area and a unique place not only in Kazakhstan, but throughout Central Asia.
Huge treeless and flat spaces without signs of civilization are covered with an endless carpet of wonderful steppe grasses and fabulous lakes, creating an unexpected contrast for human perception. All this causes an emotional upsurge and a feeling of unlimited freedom, enhanced by a peculiar pleasant steppe aroma that changes colors depending on the season and the time of flowering of a wide variety of vegetation.
Location
Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve is located in the southern zone of the Tengiz Depression in Central Kazakhstan. Half of the protected area is occupied by the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn system of lakes, and the other half is a large section of the steppe.
This is one of the two nature reserves of Kazakhstan included in the UNESCO heritage list (the Saryarka object is lakes and steppes of Northern Kazakhstan).
The conservation zone is located 130 kilometers from the city of Astana (south-west direction).
History of the reserve
This virgin reserve was created in January 1958. Its area at that time was 15 thousand hectares. The water area of all the lakes existing within the current borders of the reserve at that time was not part of the protected zone. The abundance of game and constant hunting caused the status of this protected area to be reorganized several times over the course of several years and eventually eliminated it.
Once again, the Korgalzhyn State Reserve was created as a lake, and not as a steppe. The date of formation, considered official, is April 16, 1968.
Next was a series of increases in the protected area. After expansion in 2008, its area amounted to a little more than 543 thousand ha (including more than 89 thousand ha - the area of the protected zone).
Characteristics
Today Korgalzhyn Reserve is the largest in Kazakhstan. The Atbasar State Zoological Nature Reserve, whose area is more than 75 thousand hectares, has been transferred to him under protection.
As a result, the entire area of the protected area of the reserve is equal to 707 631 ha. This territory is larger than the area occupied by any European country.
Features of the conservation area
The reserve territory extends at the crossroads of bird migration routes (Siberian-East African and Central Asian-Indian). It is an important wetland of international importance. The main objects of the protected area are two large lakes Korgalzhyn and Tengiz, united by a huge steppe site.
Geographically advantageous position, huge area and sites rich in food supply in Korgalzhyn reserve are favorable for breeding a wide variety of birds. Large water areas provide living space for Asia's largest population of wetland birds.
Potential feed reserves of only one natural reservoir of Tengiz can provide food for 15 million birds. The nesting site of the northernmost common flamingo population is located here. The number of these birds is about 60 thousand.
Flora and fauna of the Korgalzhynsky reserve
Unique is the biological diversity of the reserve, which includes 374 representatives of the flora from 60 families. More than 1, 400 species of terrestrial and aquatic animals live here. The avifauna in the reserve is represented by 350 species, including 126 nesting species of birds. The wetland inhabitants of the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn lakes are represented by 112 species, which is 87% of the birds known throughout Kazakhstan.
More than 60 rare species of plants and animals of the reserve are listed in various Red Books. The animals of the Korgalzhyn Reserve include 43 species of mammals and 14 species of ichthyofauna. Insects are not completely studied in the reserve, but today more than 700 species living in this area have already been identified. It is estimated that their species diversity may be around 5, 000.
In the Red Book of Kazakhstan there are 5 types of plants: a drooping tulip, Schrenka tulip, adonis (Volga adonis), yellow shoots and drooping. It should be noted that Schrenk's tulip, which stands out for its bright color and large size, is the founder of the very first varieties of tulips bred in the 16th century in Holland. 40 species of ichthyofauna are listed in the Republican Red Book, 26 species in IUCN.
In the waters of the lakes of the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve, up to 10% of the total number of curly pelican populations worldwide and up to 20% of the white-headed moth live. Whooper swans and black-headed laughter hunters are concentrated here, spoonbill and white-eyed blacken are found. And many other birds.
Lakes
Tengiz Lake is an important part of the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve. Translated from Kazakh, its name means "sea". The surface area is 1590 square meters. km depending on the water content of the year. The greatest depth is 7 meters, the salinity of the water exceeds the salinity of the World Ocean by about 6 times and amounts to 22-127 grams per liter. The reservoir consists of a deep-sea reach, called the Great Tengiz, and a large bay located in its northeastern part and called the Lesser Tengiz.
On the lake there are approximately 70 islands (large and small) where birds nest. Tengiz is the largest drainless salt water reservoir in Central Asia. The uniqueness of this lake lies in the fact that its shores have never experienced anthropogenic impact. In 2000, it was incorporated into the Living Lakes international organization.
Lake Korgalzhyn is the exact opposite of Lake Tengiz. It is fresh and its vast expanse of water extends over vast areas of reed beds. The pond consists of several large bays, which are separated by dense reed beds. Thus, several lakes were formed: Kokai, Isey, Sultankeldy, Zhamankol.
