Saryarka — Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan

Saryarka — Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan *
Country Kazakhstan
Type Natural
Criteria ix, x
Reference 1102
Region ** Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription 2008 (32nd Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List
** Region as classified by UNESCO

Saryarka — Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan is a part of the Kazakh Uplands (known in Kazakh as saryarka, or "yellow range") which has been designated a world heritage site by UNESCO.[1] It was inscribed on July 7, 2008, and is the only natural world heritage site in Kazakhstan.[2] (see List of World Heritage Sites in Kazakhstan) The site comprises the Naurzum State Nature Reserve (located in Kostanay Province) and Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve (located in Akmola Province). The two reserves contain wetlands which serve as important stop-over points for migrating birds from Africa, Europe, and South Asia. It is estimated that 15–16 million birds, including many endangered species, use the site as a feeding ground.[3] The pink flamingos in particular are a major attraction within Korgalzhyn Reserve.[4]

The site is also home to wildlife commonly found on the Kazakh steppe, including marmots, wolves, and the endangered saiga.[4]

Notes

  1. ^ "Kazak Uplands". Britannica Online. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/313776/Kazak-Uplands. Retrieved 2008-07-09. 
  2. ^ "Twenty-seven new sites inscribed". UNESCO. July 8, 2008. http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/453. Retrieved 2008-07-09. 
  3. ^ "Eight new natural wonders for the World Heritage List". International Union for Conservation of Nature. July 8, 2008. http://cms.iucn.org/index.cfm?uNewsID=1262. Retrieved 2008-07-09. 
  4. ^ a b "Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve". Oriental Express Central Asia. http://www.kazakhstan.orexca.com/korgalzhyn_reserve_kazakhstan.shtml. Retrieved 2008-07-09. 

External links

Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi · Saryarka — Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan  · Tamgaly Petroglyphs