Markakol State Nature Reserve, Natural reserve in Kurshim District, Kazakhstan
The Markakol State Nature Reserve is a protected area in the Kurshim District of Kazakhstan that covers over 100,000 hectares of mountain taiga and steppe landscape. The freshwater lake of the same name forms the center of the reserve and sits in a basin between forested slopes and open plateaus.
The area received official protection as a nature reserve in 1976 and was significantly expanded three decades later. This enlargement secured additional mountain slopes and river courses to preserve a more complete ecosystem.
The name Markakol comes from Kazakh and refers to the large lake that shapes the surrounding landscape. Residents of nearby villages respect the protected area and use certain edge zones for traditional grazing and small crafts.
The reserve is divided into several protection zones, with the core area closed to visitors and the buffer zone allowing limited access. Outer areas are suitable for hiking but require advance permission and guidance from local rangers.
While the lake freezes completely in winter and forms an ice layer over one meter thick, the spot where the Kalzhyr River flows in remains open all year. This ice-free window attracts waterbirds in winter that find food and shelter here.
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