OREANDA-NEWS. December 3, 2012. By Resolution of Government of Kazakhstan #1496 dated 26 November 2012 “Altyn Dala” state nature rezervat was established on 489 766 hectares area.

“Altyn Dala” state nature rezervat is the twenty seventh protected area with legal entity status established by the Committee of Forestry and Hunting, Ministry of Agriculture, within the frameworks of “Zhasyl Damu for 2010-2014” sectoral programme with support from UNDP/GEF Project “Steppe conservation and management”

“Altyn Dala” state nature rezervat is founded to conserve the unique biological diversity of steppe and desert ecosystems in Central Kazakhstan.

Rezervat area includes main habitats, migration and calving areas of the largest Betpakdala population of saiga in the world. Functionality of “Altyn Dala” rezervat will enable to provide conservation of the saiga population all year around and increase in number.

The nature rezervat is established on the reserved lands in Zhangeldy and Amangeldy districts of Kostanay oblast.

Central office will be located in Amangeldy v, Kostanay oblast. A new conservation agency has 112 regular staff.

370 flora species, out of which 23 are rare species are found in the rezervat. It also shelters the rare vegetation communities as Stipa capillata and Asiatic poplar groves. Vertebrate fauna counts 57 mammal species, 275 bird species, 11 reptile species, 4 amphibian species and 9 fish species.

The largest closed river basins of Kazakhstan (Turgai and Uly-Zhylanshyk rivers) and unique lake systems are found here, including the foremost freshwater system in the region - Sarykopa, the important bird area.

Rezervat area is also a pilot lot for implementing programme on reintroduction of the Red Data Book listed Przewalski horse and Kulan.