Balkhash is an undrained lake located in Balkhash ? Alakol watersink. It is the third largest lake in Kazakhstan with the total surface of 18.2 thousand sq.m, length of 614 km and width of 30 km. It is a unique lake; the water in its eastern part is saline, while the water in the western part thereof is fresh. Ili, Karatal and other rivers run into the lake. Pribalkhashie (near-Balkhash area) nature is unique and full of contrasts. The water reservoirs of Ili-Balkhash watershed are the most significant in terms of diversity of flora and fauna. Thousands of flights of different species of birds, including 20 species that have been registered in Kazakhstani Red Data Book are nesting in canes of South Pribalkhashie area and in tugai brushwood along the river banks

On the territory of town of Tekeli (Almaty Oblast) there is a number of objects that are the sources of technogenic contamination of environment of Balkhash lake basin. Two main sources include two tailings storages of the concentrating mill belonging to the Lead and Zink Producing Integrated Plant, which presently is mining-and-processing integrated works belonging to OJSC ?Kazzinc?. Old tailings storage located in the center of the town has been long ago subjected to erosion, destruction of the storage banks by atmospheric condensation and toxic materials drift to the river Chazha that is Karatal river feeder, which runs into Balkhash. The issue has been raised with regard to the owner of the old tailings storage and who is responsible for its recultivation.

Mission: To involve the general public of Tekeli in solving the problem of contamination of Karatal river basin with the wastes from ore concentration at Tekeli Lead and Zinc Producing Integrated Plant belonging to the Mining-and-Processing Integrated Works under the OJSC ?Kazzinc?, and initiating the discussion concerning the environment contamination by the enterprises of the Mining-and-Processing Integrated Works at the national level.

Objectives:
1.Organize a dialogue between the public of Tekeli and local authorities with the management of the Mining-and-Processing Integrated Works under the OJSC ?Kazzinc?, as well as with all interested parties in order to solve the problem and prevent contamination of Karatal river basin with toxic elements from the tailings storage and clinker.
2.Raise the ecological conscienceness of the local people through carrying out the comprehensive information and education activity concerning the problems of promotion of environmental health of Karatal river and as a consequence that of the Lake Balkhash, for which the contaminated territory of the town of Tekeli is the root of the environmental problems.
3.Initiate making a comprehensive decision at the national level to settle the issue of responsibility of the Mining-and-Processing Integrated Works under the OJSC ?Kazzinc? for environment contamination with toxic wastes.

Expected outcomes
?Citizens of Tekeli will take an active part in supporting the Project activity in the course of carrying out the comprehensive information and education activity devoted to the issues of promoting the environmental health of Karatal River and thus of the Lake Balkhash.
?The appeal on behalf of the Maslikhat jointly with the general public of the town of Tekeli will be addressed to the Government and Parliament concerning the necessity to take urgent measures to solve the problem of Karatal River contamination.
?The process will be initiated to make decision at the national level about the responsibility of the OJSC ?Kazzinc? for contamination of the environment with toxic wastes and its liability to undertake a complex of measures for environmental enhancement in the region.