Forests including saxaul and bushes cover 4.6% of the Kazakhstan territory, without saxaul and bushes ? only 1,2 %. At the same time forests are uneven distributed on the republic territory. Karaganda oblast can be considered as woodless. Lack of financial resources leads to reduction of the forests recovery after conflagration and natural degradation. That has negatively affects the forest biodiversity and leads to growth of cutting areas and fire-sites.

During 1972-1986, 20000 ha of Kotyr-Kyzyltau mountain-forest massif territory of Shetskyi region, Karaganda oblast, counted as reserve territory. It inhabits with some Red Book species, such as argali, golden eagles, Saker Falcon, little bustard, etc. The Reserve territory is located near to the Karkaraly State Natural Park. The access to the territory is difficult, especially in winter time. Today we have the situation when fires have destroyed 50% of the forest. Pine, birch and aspen are almost lost. Only in 2004 fires have captured the area of 182 ha. Absence of nature protection actions due to the reserve closure aggravates the situation. What is important now to start solving the problem is to strengthen the Protected Areas system and to achieve its efficient work by methodical decision of some legislative, economic and administrative issues.

The project goal is to develop a project directed on creation of conditions for pine forest recovery and conservation on the territory of Kotyr-Kyzyltau mountain-forest massif of Shetskyi region, Karaganda oblast.

This planning grant 1) enhances the degree and the quality of community and stakeholder participation in the project design and development, 2) provides the grantee with access to relevant scientific and technical expertise to ensure that the project has a sound scientific and technical foundation, 3) provides access to technical assistance in sound project design and development