Kazakhstan’s Plan for Six Protected Natural Areas
Kazakhstan to Establish Six Specially Protected Natural Areas
Kazakhstan is taking significant steps towards preserving its natural heritage by establishing six specially protected natural areas. Daniyar Turgambayev, the chairman of the Forestry and Wildlife Committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Ecology, Geology, and Natural Resources, announced this initiative during a briefing on March 13 at the Central Communications Service, as reported by the ministry.
In addition to creating new protected areas, Kazakhstan also plans to expand the territories of four existing reserves. Over the period between 2018 and 2024, the country has already increased its protected areas by 2.8 million hectares. As of Jan. 1, the total protected land now stands at 30.9 million hectares, covering 11.37% of Kazakhstan’s territory.
One of the key priorities of Kazakhstan’s conservation efforts is the reintroduction of endangered species. In 2024, the country launched two major wildlife restoration projects. Two Turanian (Caspian) tigers were brought from the Netherlands to the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve for enclosure breeding, with plans to introduce three to four more from Russia. Additionally, seven Przewalski’s horses arrived from the Prague Zoo to the Altyn Dala reserve in the Kostanai Region, and a total of 40 horses are expected to be brought by 2029.
Kazakhstan is also focusing on conservation and ecotourism as part of its environmental protection strategy. The country is actively working on preserving biodiversity, developing ecotourism, and enhancing environmental protection. With support from the UN Development Program, Kazakhstan has initiated the drafting of the Concept for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity for 2025-2035.
The efforts to promote ecotourism in Kazakhstan are yielding positive results, with 2.8 million people visiting national parks in 2024, up from 2.4 million in 2023. The country has been working on improving infrastructure for ecotourism, including the development of 121 tourist routes, 35 eco-trails, visitor centers, nine automated checkpoints, and online payment systems.
These initiatives underscore Kazakhstan’s commitment to preserving its natural resources and promoting sustainable practices for the benefit of current and future generations.
