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Biodiversity is essential to the existence of life on Earth. Understanding this, the government is working to restore distressed ecological systems by limiting the human-generated pressures that may result in additional ecological disturbances. Examples of this work include: an 9.6% increase of protected natural reserves in the country with a goal of increasing the populations of threatened plant and animal species by 2019. In the recent five- year period, reforestation efforts have added more than a million hectares to the nation's forests. Another continuing battle is the fight against forest fires and illegal logging, which are as relevant as ever, with more than 600 wildfires occurring in 2019, double the amount registered in 2016. Illegal logging has resulted in losses exceeding 29 million Tenge in both 2016 and 2019. Biodiversity In 2018 and 2019, 141 cases of Saiga antelope poaching and horn harvesting were recorded Poaching of other rare and endangered wild ungulate species has also been recorded. In 2018, 69 criminal cases were registered : seizure G azelle Argali D eer Ibex Sable Mute Swan White-fronted goose G rouse Also registered were the illegal transport of 23 gyrfalcons and seven Saker falcons. 19 2 11 1 6 3 1 2 2018 2019 2019, 651 carcasses and 1,060 sections of Saiga horn were seized from poachers; in 2018 - 429 carcasses and 501 sections of horn. 651 1060 429 501 In 2019, more than 12,000 violations of environmental legislation were recorded, including 44 criminal infractions of theft, acquisition and / or sale of biological objects or products. . Contributing factors to the increase included weather patterns, poorly equipped forest services, delayed fire detection and the encroachment of steppe fires into forested areas. 2019 624 2018 358 year year - - forest fires , Fisheries represent an important and renewable biodiverse resource, generating income and employment and fostering the development of the export market, but also one capable of depleting sustainable fish stocks. Kazakhstan possesses over three million hectares of inland water surface area, including 20 bodies of water of international and domestic significance, and 2907 locally significant bodies of water. In 2019, these resources produced 45 thousand tons of fish caught. In 1991, the catch volume exceeded 80 thousand tons, but with the subsequent abolition of the Ministry of Fisheries, industry financing was affected leading to a decrease in catch volumes alongside a slowdown in fish stock safeguards and restocking. In 2019 were seized from poachers for infractions: tons of fish > 80 water vessels 224 thousand pieces of equipment 2 5 , hunting firearms 427 The republic boasts a diverse array of flora and fauna. 11% of the nation's territory is forested, with fully forested lands occupying more than 12 million hectares. Arid/desert zones feature saxaul forestation; the plains and steppes are home to birch-aspen and pine forestation; coniferous forests predominate in the mountainous Altai, Dzungarian and Trans-Ili Alatau regions; and in the ribbon forests of the Irtysh grow plant species that are resistant to conditions of heat and low-humidity. Overall, 5 754 species of plants grow in Kazakhstan, of which 387 are considered rare and/or endangered. Of all the flora in Kazakhstan, 14% are endemic and listed in the IUCN Red List. Due to environmental effects and human activity including mass harvesting, plants like the Altai onion (Latin: A. altaicum), Ledebur onion (A. ledebourianum), Victory onion (A. microdictyon) and Golden Root (Rhodiola rosea) are found today only at elevations in the Altai Mountains which are difficult to access. 14% In Kazakhstan, hunting is permitted of 34 species of mammals and 59 species of birds. Kazakhstan's Red List includes : 40 species of mammals 57 species of birds 18 species of fish 10 species of reptiles 3 species of amphibians 85 species of insects 6 species of mollusks 2 species of annelid worms 2 species of arachnids 1 species of crustaceans Saiga antelope population 2010-2019 (in thousands) Populations of rare and endangered ungulate species In 2019, counts of the Saiga antelope population - a rare species in the IUCN Red List – were at their highest level in the last decade. Kazakhstan has 835 species of vertebrates. Vertebrates living on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan 1) the preservation of biological diversity and wildlife gene pool; The development of protected natural reserves is one method to preserve wildlife while pursuing a managed hunting resource. Principal objectives include 2) wildlife preservation and reproduction, including that of rare and endangered species, and an increase in valuable game species populations; 5) the ensuring of food security via access to game hunting and its related yields; 6) the development of game breeding; 7) revival of the national cultural traditions of hunting in Kazakhstan. 3) minimization of growth-limiting factors, including carriers of infectious and parasitic diseases and their effect on biodiversity, the gene pool, and wildlife reproduction—not excluding that of rare and endangered species; 4) constitutional protection of citizens' rights of access to leisure, a beneficial environment and opportunities to engage in legal hunting; Overall, Kazakhstan possesses 116 national protected nature reserves and 42 protected regional reserves. Eight of Kazakhstan's protected natural reserves are listed in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). These include the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve, the Akzhaiyk Reserve, Katon-Karagai National Park, Altyn Emel National Park, the Aksu-Zhabaglinsky, Alakol, Barsakelmes and Karatau Nature Reserves. Over the past decade, eight new protected nature areas have been created in Kazakhstan and the territory of seven additional areas has been expanded. Republic of Kazakhstan - Area of protected natural territories Kazakhstan also has five botanical gardens comprising a total area of 512 hectares. These have been established in different climate zones and reflect a distinct emphasis. The largest collection of flora is housed at the Main Botanical Garden of the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction where 2663 species and varieties of plants are kept. The institute boasts a herbarium, a seed bank and a palaeobotanical collection with specimens dating from the Jurassic period as well as a collection of 500 fossilized plants of Kazakhstan. This collection represents the largest assemblage of flora specimens from the Jurassic, Cretaceous, Paleogene and Neogene periods in Central Asia. In the work of detecting environmental violations and preserving biodiversity, environmental services conducted 9804 raids and 968 inspections in 2018; in 2019, 9156 raids and 1048 inspections. A partial list of activities related to biodiversity conservation - 2018-2019 To detect and eliminate forest fires, air patrols are conducted in eight regions – a territory exceeding 8 million hectares. Additionally, owners of forested land establish firebreaks and mineralized strips. To combat illegal logging, environmental agency inspectors and forest rangers conduct raids. In 2018, more than 18,000 raids were carried out; in 2019, more than 17,000 raids were conducted. In an effort to promote wildlife populations, the Astana Ormany Co. has raised nearly 6,200 pheasants, releasing 4,500 into the wild. In the Turkestan region they have constructed a breeding center for Chlamydotis—a type of bustard fowl. In 2019, fish hatcheries released more than 73 million fry into national waters. For Saiga antelope conservation, an animal on the IUCN Red List, aerial counts are conducted. In 2019, assessments were made of the viability and distribution of the Saiga to determine their optimal numbers required to permit a sustainable hunt without depleting the herds. The availability of cutting-edge biotechnologies has allowed for the propagation of numerous rare species of plants including barberry varietals - the Berberis karkalensi and the Berberis iliensis, the Sievers apple ( Niedzwecky Malus sieversii), the apple ( , and poplars like the Malus niedzwetzkyana) Bolle poplar (Populus bolleana) which have been cultivated for use in the creation of urban greenspace. We draw particular attention to the restoration of the ribbon forests of the Irtysh region, the creation of a green zone at Nur-Sultan, and the Phyto-forestry reclamation of the drained Aral Sea basin. In 2019, a 7,000-hectare forest was re-established in the Irtysh region, more than 4,000 hectares of new-growth forestation was introduced in areas around the nation's capital, and 10,000 hectares of saxaul were planted on the drained Aral Sea basin over a period of two years. Afforestation and reforestation projects in 2019 covered 56,000 hectares, with plantings undertaken on over 29,000 hectares. The bulk of this work was conducted in the south of the country, where Saxaul plantings were conducted on a total area of 21,000 hectares. Reforestation and Afforestation Kazakhstan is a participant in the Global Program for the Conservation of the Snow Leopard and Its Ecosystems, employing satellite monitored collars and camera stations in protected nature reserves in order to monitor the numbers and viability of this rare species. In 2019, camera stations managed to capture snow leopard activity in the territory of Kolsai Lakes National Park. The Kazakhstan Zoological Institute conducts research to identify threats to rare mammal species of mammals listed in the Republic of Kazakhstan Red List. The Institute has tagged around 5,000 rare and endangered birds from 45 species to study their migration patterns resulting in new data on the migratory resting locations of s, among other benefits of the program. demoiselle crane Working with the Alaqol State Nature Reserve, the institute engaged in extensive tagging and registration of bird colonies. More than 250 virus samples collected from migratory birds were able to be cataloged. In addition, s tudies for monitoring and taking counts of the wolf populations in western Kazakhstan were carried out, resulting in recommendations for regulating wolf populations. The "Informational Database of the Botanical Description of Rare, Endangered and Economically Viable Flora of Kazakhstan” program continued its work, entering newly collected data on 75 species and 28 families of flora in Central Kazakhstan and 70 species and 33 families from Western Kazakhstan To both preserve and supplement forested area, satellite monitoring was employed to assess the state of national forests and of occurrences of steppe and forest fires. The data assisted in the prediction of forest fire spread and the determination of hectarage affected. Satellite images were employed in the development of a mobile application for volunteers providing access to the oko.gharysh.kz geolocation service by which images of burns could be uploaded to the RSE "Kazakh Forest Management Enterprise" to update forest management maps. Two studies - "A Comprehensive Assessment of Shchuchinsk-Borovsk Resort Zone Ecosystems TO Determine a Sustainable Ecological Load and Recreational Potential" and “Ecological Challenges of the Shchuchinsk-Borovsk Resort Zone and the Development of Veterinary and Sanitary Measures" – were conducted to assess the challenges of eco-tourism in the Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort area. As a part of the "Study and Conservation of the Biodiversity of Walnuts and Hazelnuts and Genetic Data Utilization for the Development of Nut Farming in Kazakhstan" project, the first assessment ever of the genetic diversity of the Kazakhstani walnut and hazelnut crop (Corylus avellana L., Juglans regia L.) was undertaken. This resulted in the cataloging of the DNA of 121 samples of promising walnut varietals, including wild walnuts. A Regional Program for sustainable and climate sensitive land use for economic development German Society for International Cooperation Project in the Republic of Kazakhstan: " in Central Asia (SUSTAIN-CA)". The project helped to strengthen the capacity to implement private afforestation, integrate ecosystem services into the development plan and employ other economic instruments for the sustainable use of natural resources. As part of the International Snow Leopard Protection Day, running from September 23 to October 23, 2018, the national "Save the Snow Leopard – TOGETHER!" festival was held. Organizing partners: UNDP, Committee of Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Barys Hockey Club. In 2018-2019, the Public State "Kazakhstan Association for Biodiversity Conservation" Association was engaged in 14 separate projects. Expeditions to three groupings of Saiga habitats were organized, where animals were tagged with satellite monitored collars. An analysis of the hot spots and routes of the Saiga horn trade was prepared, as well as recommendations for an alternative route for the Center-West Road project with the goal of reducing threats to Saiga migration. The Association continues to work on the resettlement of kulans in Central Kazakhstan, a study of the steppe eagle, the tallying rare species of geese, Branta geese, and other waterfowl. More than 30 key ornithological areas were surveyed. A United Nations Development Program Project in the Republic of Kazakhstan: " Increasing the sustainability of the system of protected areas in desert ecosystems through the promotion of biodiversity-compatible sources of life support in and around protected areas ". The project goal: to enhance the sustainability of protected areas in globally significant desert and semi- desert ecosystems by expanding their geographical coverage, promoting the landscape approach, supporting sources of life support in protected areas and adjacent territories. Achievements: technical and expert support was provided in the development of management plans for the Ustyurt and Barsakelmes Reserves, Altyn Emel National Park, and the new reserve at Ile-Balkash, from 2018-2023. A United Nations Development Program Project in the Republic of Kazakhstan: " Conservation and Sustainable Management of Key Globally Important Ecosystems for Multiple Benefits ". The goal is to improve the system of conservation and management of forest resources and adjacent meadow, floodplain and desert ecosystems important for the conservation of biodiversity, land resources and improving the well-being of the local population. Achievements: all initial activities for the launch of the project were completed, an introductory project seminar was held, a work plan, procurement and monitoring plans for the project for 2018 were drawn up and finalized, and an introductory project report was prepared and agreed upon, which was submitted to the UNDP country and regional (Istanbul) offices. A detailed review of forest management of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the period 2004–2018 has been prepared; the review covers 120 forestry authorities and 20 protected areas. United Nations Development Program Project in the Republic of Kazakhstan "Biodiversity Financing Initiative – BIOFIN". The aim is to identify the biodiversity financing gap and introduce new financial mechanisms to mobilize resources for biodiversity conservation. Work on the project is continuing. A number of State Agency-International Community joint projects on ecology are being undertaken in Kazakhstan. What follows is a listing of the largest projects. Protected nature reserves in the Republic of Kazakhstan Cyclostomata Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Jeyran Kulan Argali 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 17 000 16 000 15 000 14 000 13 000 12 000 11 000 10 000 9 000 8 000 7 000 6 000 5 000 4 000 3 000 2 000 1 000 Tugai deer 17 954 16 980 16 802 15 979 15 710 14 737 14 525 13 872 12 623 12 888 12 994 13 197 13 218 13 727 14 055 14 391 2 920 3 222 3 420 3 595 3 807 3 984 4 103 4 197 451 465 481 503 716 825 856 878 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 500 000 400 000 300 000 200 000 100 000 85,4 102 137,5 187 256,7 295,4 108,3 152,6 215,1 334,4 National : State Natural Preservation Areas State National Parks State Nature Reserves State Botanical Gardens State Protected Areas State Natural Habitat Sites State Natural Historic Sites State Dendrological Park Local/Regional : State Regional Nature Parks State Regional Natural Habitat Sites State Natural Historic Sites 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 500 000 400 000 300 000 200 000 100 000 0 10 8 6 4 2 0 Area of protected natural areas, Total % of national territory designated as protected natural areas % year year 240 188 244 287 244 287 262 488 262 488 9,6 9,6 8,8 8,8 8,6 h unting forest fishing total Measure 10 000 8 000 6 000 4 000 2 000 0 Violations recorded Citations issued Individuals cited for statute violations Administrative fines imposed Measure 100 80 60 40 20 0 million Tenge 2018 total : 8 840 6 585 981 1 274 2019 total : 8 840 6 662 1 005 1 081 2018 total : 8 014 6 608 664 742 2019 total : 7 951 6 613 596 742 2018 total : 7 671 5 768 944 969 2019 total : 7 184 5 377 822 985 2018 total : 102,7 89,5 9,9 3,3 2019 total : 95,4 81,9 11,2 2,3 100 80 60 40 20 0 Volume, thousands of hectares year 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 60 57 57 57 53 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 178 489 104 49 12 3 10 13 6 5 5 50 26 1 3 18 21 In 2019, poaching damages were valued at ( with 90.5 million Tenge recovered in fines ). billion Tenge 2,4
This interactive report was created by the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the support of the European Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme, and Zoï Environment Network.