West-Altay State Nature Reserve, Protected area in Ridder, Kazakhstan
West-Altay State Nature Reserve is a protected area in Ridder, Kazakhstan, covering roughly 86,000 hectares of mountain territory. The landscape shifts between pine forests in the lower elevations, alpine meadows, tundra in the heights, and scattered deciduous woods in the valleys.
The territory was designated as a nature reserve in July 1992 through a resolution by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This designation came shortly after the country's independence to safeguard the Altai mountain ecosystem permanently.
The name refers to the western spurs of the Altai Mountains, which stretch across Kazakhstan, Russia, and China. Several field stations within the territory allow researchers to observe wildlife such as brown bears, lynx, and rare bird species during the growing season.
The reserve can be reached through the town of Ridder, roughly 100 kilometers northeast of Ust-Kamenogorsk. Guided tours can be arranged in advance, as access to certain zones is controlled.
The reserve encompasses four main mountain ranges: Ivanovsky, Ubinsky, Ulbinsky, and Kholzun. The highest point is Linesky Belok, rising to 2,598 meters (8,524 feet) and offering a sweeping view over the surrounding valleys.
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