Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve

Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve is one of the largest nature reserves in the Republic of Kazakhstan, established on April 16, 1968 in the Korgalzhyn district of the Akmola region. The reserve has the status of a legal entity and aims at the conservation and study of natural processes, exemplary and unique ecosystems, biodiversity and genetic resources of flora and fauna, nature and development.

The land area is 258.9 thousand hectares (2003). There are 123 large and small, open and fresh lakes in the reserve. Among them are the famous Tengiz lakes, large and small, Kerey, Kipchak, Korgalzhyn, Esey, Sultankeldy, Kokai, Asaubalyk, Zhamankol, Zhabay, Tabankazy, large and small Karakol, Manat, Subergen, Toktamys, Bazar, Sary and Kyzyl lakes. Many of these lakes are watered by the famous rivers Nura, Kulanotpes, Kon, Zhaman Kon, Zhaksy Kon. It especially protects the hydrological regime of Tengiz lakes. The Tengiz-Korgalzhyn lake system is located at the junction of the Central Asian-India and Siberian-East African migratory (migratory) birds.

The Tengiz-Korgalzhyn lake system is one of the most important wetlands for migratory birds in Kazakhstan and all of Asia. The biodiversity of this region is unique. These include 443 flora of 60 genera and 1400 species of aquatic and terrestrial animals, which make up four parts of the flora of the small hills of Kazakhstan. There are 347 bird species in the reserve, including 126 nesting species. 41 bird species are included in the Kazakhstan Red Book, and 26 species are included in the International Red Book.

There are 112 wetland bird species in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn lake system, which accounts for 130% to 87% of the known in Kazakhstan. There are 42 mammal species and 14 fish species in the reserve. Although insects have not been fully studied, 700 species have been identified, the species diversity can reach 5,000. There are more than 60 species of rare animals and plants listed in the Red Data Books of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

According to the census, 20% of the world's population is curly octopus and rare red-listed flamingos, white-tailed ducks, steppe eagles, black grouse, seagulls, etc. 10-20% is collected in reserve lakes. The flamingo nests and lays eggs only in Lake Tengiz in Kazakhstan. The entire lake glows with red flames as pink-winged flamingos soar into the sky. That is why it is sometimes called "Redwing".

In the 1960s, the number of flamingos in the reserve was around 45-60 thousand, while in the 2000s it was only 10-15 thousand. The Chronicle of Nature has been written for many years. Currently, the nature of ecotourism is developing in the reserve. In winter, the temperature in the reserve is -41-42ºС, in July the temperature reaches 38-39ºС. It will be frost-free and sunny for 125-30 days. Annual precipitation is about 200 mm.

korgalzhyn nature reserve

 

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