Mashattau (Conservation and rehabilitation of biodiversity on the Tien-Shan northern slope by local population and creation of alternative activity types aimed sustainable use of region’s natural, recreational and cultural potential - stage 1) (KAZ/97/05)

Project Details & Results

In the south of Kazakhstan a unique object, the National Aksu-Dzhabagly Reserve, is located. It has a significant value for conservation of the Kazakhstan nature, and also takes important place in the international system of protected natural territories, it's widely known to the world community. The area close-fitting to the Reserve has also a great value on biological diversity of Western Tien-Shan region because the territory of neighboring reserve “Aksu-Dzhabagly” doesn’t fully protect the specific character of regional flora and fauna. For instance, the whole zone of foothill ephemeral semi-desert (which remained beyond the boundaries of the reserve), foothill and low-mountain part of tugays where many rare and endemic species of plants, invertebrates and vertebrates live.

As a result of a hard economic situation in Kazakhstan there is a big problem of unemployment in Tyulkubas district. Migrants from Aral Sea area and Kzyl-Orda Province don’t have necessary knowledge and skills of treating natural resources of foothill and smooth areas. As a result of it there are numerous cases of damaging and cutting of bushes and trees during gathering of fruits, cattle grazing, etc.

Thus, conservation and rehabilitation of biodiversity in the Western Tijan-Shan Mountains region, through the involvement of local community groups is very important. By maintaining a micronursery of rare and endemic species, by planting seedlings of rare and endemic species, by developing a regional ecological route and by raising public awareness about biodiversity conservation, this project will contribute to sustainable development of the local area.

Implementation of this project will allow:
•To attract local population to solution of ecological and social problems of the region.
•To start process of rehabilitation of biodiversity of the region.
•To raise environmental awareness of the local people.
•To create base for ecological education of population.
•To create visual teaching aids on botany and zoology for schools of Tyulkubas district.
•To organize nursery fprest of rare and endemic plants and trees close to places of their natural living.
•To create new jobs for local population.

Capacity - Building Component
This project will encourage the environmental education of the community about the methods of collecting rare and endemic species seeds, and caring for a micro nursery. An ecological class will be established in the local school, and lectures will be held for schoolchildren and the local community on the environment. The community will also be trained on the seeding and planting of rare and endemic species.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
The development of ecotourism will promote the creation of additional workplaces and will allow the local community to derive sustainable income from ecotourism

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
The local community and local authorities will be involved in seeind degraded fields with lucerne; schoolchildren in the area will participate in collecting and planting seeds of rare and endemic vegetation species; a micronursery will be set up in a cooperative effort by schoolchildren and the reserve scientists; rare and endemic trees and shrubs will be planted in the micro nursery and at the project sites; cuttings will be planted along the rivers Iirsu and Mashat. The local community will also participate in monitoring and evaluation of the project.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Activities will include the planting of rare and endemic species, cleaning wells, parks, springs, rivers, and tourist routes with the active participation of the local community, local authorities, schoolchildren, and NGOs; and the distribution of ecoposters and leaflets.

Project Results
As the 1st stage of the project was limited by 6 months activity, a confined spectrum of activities have been realized and kust a few achievements have been reached. They have been:
•A nursery for rare and endemic plants was created. Permanent tendance over the nursery is ensured. Seedlings grown have been planted on the habitat with active participation of the local community;
•Environmental class was established at the local school to strengthen environmental education of the schoolchildren and involve them into the nature protection activities.