At present time due to chaotic development of tourism in Akmola area negative anthropogenic impact on the unique lakes of the region has increased, and this may lead to that the Shalkar lake can be lost. The Kokshetau National Park management annually equips the territory with modern services and utilities for amateur tourists, but before the tourist season opens, the work needs to be carried out anew, as the wooden constructions are used for firewood by tourists, the coasts of the lakes are polluted with the dust, the trees are felled.

The project aims at conservation and rehabilitation of biodiversity of the forest, mountain and lake ecosystems of the Kokshetau National Park through ecotourism development and stirring up nature protection activities of the local communities.

Project tasks are: (i) to equip the routs, to environmentally educate local communities, to promote creation of local NGOs to strengthen nature protection activities in the area; (ii) to increase living standards of the local communities, create self-help groups; (iii) to acquaint tourists with cultural traditions of the area.

Expected outputs:
1. Creation of additional workplaces for rural communities, creation of self-help groups in Imantau, Aiyrtau and Sansyktau villages.
2. Self-help groups members are trained in ecotourism principles of interactive methods of actions implementation through seminars, with participation of local authorities, local initiative groups, local communities representatives, to develop ecotourism in the area.
3. Construction of guest-houses to create favorable conditions for tourists and to give additional resources for the local community to get income through render high quality services to the tourists.
4. Development of souvenirs manufacturing in the villages both to enrich budget of the self-help groups and acquaint tourists with handicrafts of Kazakh people.
5. Creation of folklore groups from amongst of local people to stirring up local community and familiarizing tourists with traditions and legends and classical heritage of the Kazakh people.
6. Development and approval of tourist routes
7. Marketing and advertising the routes through cooperation with tourist companies, state tourist development organizations, etc.
8. Publication and distribution of informational materials and production of a video-film to attraction of tourists to the area

As a whole, it?s expected that the developed infrastructure will allow local self-help groups further develop ecotourism in the area and thus contribute to rehabilitation of the biodiversity in the area.
The project will also improve local people living standards.