Bio-diversity

East Kazakhstan is a unique ecological area of Kazakhstan. 400 rare and endemic species, 900 medicinal, food and technical plants (that makes 35 % and 23 % of the overall flora in Kazakhstan) grow here. Altay-Sayan region covers transboundary territories of Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, and China, and it is a unique place where Central Asia biological and landscape biodiversity is concentrated. Here wild relatives of cultural species and rare and endemic flora and fauna are kept. At the same time economic crisis of the region, pauperization of the local population and increase of commercial demand for natural resources may cause destruction of biodiversity resources and development of ecologically unreasoned way of economic development of the region. Thereupon, educational work with local population, especially with children is very important. It will allow to educate new generation of people with rational concern to the nature. One of the NGO`s directions is creation of a number of Ecological Centers of Sustainable Development in the Eastern Kazakhstan, focusing on the activity with local people, especially with children, control over the ecological situation in the region and carry out nature protection programs. Within the framework of the project the school of guides-rangers will be established. The main idea is to prepare highly qualified professional staff in the sphere of tourism and Natural Protected Areas. The training programme will be carried out on the basis of the modern materials and technologies. Expected results: -Improvement of the flora and fauna protection activitiesin the region, - Decrease of poaching - Restoration of the forests of the region, creation of private forests ,parks and nursaries. - Grounding of qualified personnel in ecotourism - Creation of new workplaces - Development and implementation of alternative "environmental friendly" economic measures like ecotourism and forestation.

Kazakhstan