Zhambyl Oblast refers to Kazakhstan south region where there is a whole bunch of ecological, social and economic problems. Diversity of the natural landscapes (from mountains to deserts) rich species composition of flora and fauna and at the same time poaching, irrational use of the animal and plant resources, destruction of the wildlife habitat areas, desertification, pasture degradation and poverty of the locals are the most characteristic phenomena for this region. The Oblast is characterized by abundance of water reservoirs and rivers; however, most of them have been regulated and used for economic needs. Introduction of payment for water has resulted in the fact that water is released only to agricultural users and natural water inflow to the natural water reservoirs has stopped, entailing the drying up of lakes and rivers that are the places of habitat, molt and reproduction of birds. Drying up of the water reservoirs has led to shifting of the routes of flights of the water fowl migrating through the south region and decline in the numbers of wild animals. Because of poor material and technical equipment and limited number of staff the regulatory bodies are unable to ensure protection of lands and organize zones of civilized hunting and fishing that would have allowed reproducing fauna and finding and investing funds in the environment protection measures.

Because of the above-said the Project is deemed to be a model project, which makes possible its replication in other districts of Zhambyl oblast. There are two large villages - Usharal and Toguzken ? in Talassky district. Asa River flows in the immediate proximity to the inhabited localities. Once it was deep river that fed the chain of the downstream lakes, Adambek Lake in the first place. However, because of a dam construction on the upstream Akkol Lake, for the last 15 years small water flow has been running into Asa River that caused the shrinkage of the lake water surface, loss of once large populations of migrating wetland birds. Pastures have degraded, grass stand burns down as early as in May and grazing became possible on the lakeshores and along the riverbeds, which adversely affects their condition. In particular, the numbers of the Middle Asian gazelle and saiga that have their watering points there and in the river valley have declined. Regulation of river has resulted in change of the flood bed biocenosis for the space of more than 60 km.

Nonetheless, investigation performed by the GEF/SGP experts confirmed that some habitats still have been preserved on the territory of the district and one can meet there mass, valuable and rare species of the biodiversity, including such species of global value as Dalmatian Pelican and rose-colored pelican - Pelecanus onocrotalus Linnaeus, white-eyed pochard, bustard, houbara, little bustard, Pterocles orientalis Linnaeus, Middle Asian gazelle and saiga and game birds ? ducks, geese and sandpiper.

Objectives of the projects:
1.Restore the sites of wetlands of Asa river and system of Adambek lake in Talassky district;
2.Preserve fauna and flora, including rare and endangered species and ensure sound use of the game-food animals of Talassky district;
3.Involve the residents of Usharal and Toguzken village in the Project activity and improve their life support;
4.Improve the ecological awareness of the population of Talassky district and replicate the Project practice.

During the project the channel will be cleared away and water delivery in lakes from the river Talas will be adjusted; a hunting-fishing facilities will be created for the preservation and security purposes; rehabilitating and biotechnical actions will be undertaken; movement of the sand near the local village will be stoped by fastening. The local population will be actively involved into the project activity, including information campaign and public monitoring.

Expected outcomes:
1.Elimination of the water deficiency and restoration of the ecosystem of Asa River and Adambek lake system, including biodiversity of the lakes and adjacent territories.
2.Restoration and preservation of the numbers, populations and habitats of the wildlife, including rare and endangered species of birds and.
3.Preservation and recovery of natural hardy-shrub species, suspension of desertification on the areas adjacent to Usharal village.
4.Improvement of social and economic conditions of the residents of Usharal and Toguzken villages and increase of the living standards thereof.
5.Improvement of the ecological conscienceness of Talassky district residents and their involvement in the environment protection activity.
6.Creation of preconditions to solve the problem of restoration of lakes, fauna and flora and improvement of the living standards of local residents in other districts of Zhambyl Oblast based on the Project?s outcomes.