Alakol State Nature Reserve

Alakol State Nature Reserve — established to preserve the nature of the Tenteq Bay and the rare animals of the Alakol Islands. It is located in the Alakol district of the Zhambyl region and the Urjar district of the Almaty region. Area 65,672 ha. The reserve’s territory is divided into 12 sections. The very rare endemic species of the black stork nesting and raising chicks was discovered by Kazakh ornithologist E. Auezov during his scientific work in 1968–69. The islands within the reserve are very suitable for birds to gather and nest. Therefore the reserve can be called a true “bird market”. The fauna of the reserve is very rich. Here there are 17 species of fish, 2 species of amphibians, 14 species of reptiles, 324 species of birds and 33 species of mammals. Among invertebrates there are 34 species of insects. Sixteen bird species (including the black stork, white-headed duck, black stork, bearded reedling, black stork, etc.) and the Dalmatian pelican are included in Kazakhstan’s “Red Book”. The flora is also rich (286 plant species occur). Seven thematic projects for scientific research are carried out regularly. Also a “Nature Yearbook” is published. A “Nature Museum” operates, and a small arboretum is organized. A protective strip 2 km long has been built along the border of the reserve. Since 2004 a joint long‑term project of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Development Programme in Kazakhstan has been implemented. The Alakol Reserve plays a major role in tourism development.

Lake Alakol

Lake Alakol is one of the most spectacular lakes of Kazakhstan. Located in the northeast of the Zhambyl Alatau, this salt lake is rich in mineral salts and sulfur mud. In addition, along the 35‑km stretch of the lake you can see the Birds Island with flamingos and about 40 other bird species.