Naurzum Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Kostanay Region, Kazakhstan
Naurzum Nature Reserve is a large protected area in Kostanay Region comprising three separate sections of steppe, semi-desert, and forest landscapes. Each cluster is surrounded by buffer zones designed to protect the diverse habitats within.
The reserve was established in 1931 to protect the region's natural landscapes. In 2008, it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Saryarka, gaining international recognition for its ecological importance.
Archaeological sites like Ekidyn 1 and the Bestamak Necropolis mark human presence in these steppes over thousands of years. Walking through the reserve today, you can still see traces of Bronze Age settlement woven into the landscape.
Start your visit at the administrative center in Karamendy village, which provides access to the reserve's viewing areas and main trails. Plan to arrive during seasons when wildlife is most active and visible in the landscape.
The reserve shelters more than 270 bird species and is home to the protected Shrenk tulip, listed in Kazakhstan's Red Book. This rare flower blooms across the steppe sections and has become a symbol of the conservation work here.
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