OREANDA-NEWS. On 29 May 2008 was announced, that the State Environmental Expertise approved the draft natural-scientific feasibility study for the new Zhongar Alatau National Natural Park of Kazakhstan. The document determining the uniqueness and significance of the natural complexes of the park to be established has been prepared within GoK and GEF/UNDP project ғIn situ Conservation of KazakhstanҒs Mountain Agrobiodiversity”.

According to the Program of Conservation and Rational Use of Water Resources, Fauna and Development of the Network of Specially Protected Natural Areas till 2010, the new national park is to be established in 2010. The purpose of its establishment is the conservation of natural mountain landscapes of special environmental, historic and aesthetic value.

The designed Zhongar Alatau National Park will cover three districts of Almaty Oblast and contains 356 thousand ha of which 20 thousand ha will be mobilized from the oblast forest fund. The lands for the new national park have been allotted based on the Resolution of Almaty Oblast Governor dated 30 June 2004. The use of such lands before the national park establishment will be restricted.

The area of the national park in question contains over 2000 plant species, including 12 species enlisted in the Red Book of Kazakhstan and 110 medicinal plant species. From total 300 animal species found in the area 2 amphibian species, 6 nesting bird species and 6 mammals have been enlisted in the Red Book.

One of the main focuses of the parkҒs scientific-research activities will be the conservation and restoration of Malus siversii wild apple forests and common apricot Armeniaca vulgaris. Malus siversii, as a genetic basis for many world apple varieties, covers 1.05% of the total parkҒs area and requires special protection and observation.

The new park will contain the reservation areas covering approximately 39.7% of total area; environmental stabilization zones – about 17.6%, tourism and recreation zones – 32.8% and the areas of restricted economic activities containing about 9.9% of the total parkҒs area.

The goal of the project jointly implemented by the Government of Kazakhstan, Global Environment Facility and UN Development Program ғIn situ Conservation of KazakhstanҒs Mountain Agrobiodiversity” is to enable the conservation in situ, restoration and sustainable use of nationally and globally significant agrobiodiversity of Jungar and Zailiysky Alatau. The main focus is placed on wild apple Malus siversii and common apricot Armeniaca vulgaris along with the other wild crop relatives being part of the mountain wild fruit forest ecosystems.