Korgalzhyn, is Kazakhstan’s first biosphere reserve. Situated in the north central part of Kazakhstan, the site is a complex of freshwater and saline lakes embedded in the dry steppe zone of Eurasia. Environmental degradation caused by previously unsustainable management practices are now being addressed with a number of pilot projects.
Declaration date: 2012
Administrative authorities: Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve
Surface area: 1,603,171 ha
Core area(s): 543, 171 ha
Buffer zone(s): 90,000 ha
Transition area(s): 970,000 ha
Location:
Latitude: 49°54’N – 50°59’N
Longitude: 67°53’E – 71°01’E
Central point: 50º05’41″N – 69º12’09″E
Ecological Characteristics
The territory is characterized by elevated plains, hills, lake depressions and marked by an extreme-continental climate.
Korgalzhyn Biosphere Reserve is a natural complex of fresh and saline waters with coastal territories which include unique landscapes characteristics of the dry steppe zone of Eurasia. This makes it an important wetland site for migratory water birds. Potential fodder reserves of only one Tengiz lake are able to provide food for 15 million birds. The most Northern nesting population of Flamingo is located here; its population in some years may reach 50,000-60,000 birds.
