Geo-Tourism Perspectives In East Kazakhstan

Jiri Chlachula

doi:10.24057/2071-9388-2018-78

Abstract

Eastern Kazakhstan and the adjacent Gorno Altai of southern Siberia encompass very mosaic landscapes across all the geographic and geomorphic zones enclosing numerous (pre-)historic monuments, some of them being a part of the UNESCO World natural and cultural heritage. Excepting the high-mountain ranges (Rudno and Southern Altai, Narym, Tarbagatay and Dzhungarskiy Alatau) surrounding the territory, the interior open arid steppes characterized by a broken relief of the granite-built Central Kazakhstan Hills as well as the barren rocky semi-deserts in the SE parts of the land remain largely unexplored and tourism-uncovered. The extraordinary topographic diversity was generated by complex geological processes associated with the Cainozoic orogenesis and the changing Quaternary climates. Geo-tourism focusing on the most exquisite landscape forms (geo-sites) and geological formations is a new trend in the country with still minor activities that take advantage of the region’s supreme geo-heritage potential. The unquestionable touristic-recreational attractiveness of this geographically marginal area of Central Asia (historically a part of the Russian Empire’s Tomsk Gubernia) reflects unique natural features – both geomorphic and biotic – including orographic, hydrologic, climatic, mineral and pedogenic, as well as rare endemic plants and wildlife in addition to the colour ful national Kazakh and Russian traditions. In spite of these predispositions, an introduction of a vital, sustainable geo-tourism in East Kazakhstan is impeded by the limited accessibility to the region due to an insufficient year-round transport infrastructure and poor local accommodation facilities in addition to the restricting boarder-zone entry regulations.

Highlights

Geo-tourism is a new phenomenon in Kazakhstan despite the major potential linked to the extraordinary relief diversity of this largest country of Central Asia (2 724 900 km2)
This study presents an insight on the East Kazakhstan landscapes integrating distinctive physiogeographic features with rich cultural monuments, providing in unity a most promising geo-contextual milieu for the modern geo-tourism development by taking into account the regionally specific natural, historical, cultural and modern socio-economic aspects
Geography of the Republic of Kazakhstan, situated in the North of Central Asia, inspires a lot of scientific as well as commercial attention because of the spectacular landscapes with many World-unique geosites found across all the physio-geographic zones

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Geo-tourism is a new phenomenon in Kazakhstan despite the major potential linked to the extraordinary relief diversity of this largest country of Central Asia (2 724 900 km). The territory of East Kazakhstan with the major mountain systems (Southern Altai, Tarbagatay, Alatau), and the continental depressions (the Bukhtarma and Zaisan/Black Irtysh Basins) include the most picturesque and physiographically unique landscapes and geo-sites. The geographical distribution of the mapped archaeological sites displays a broad topographic range of the previously occupied and/or exploited landscapes (Chlachula 2018) (Fig. 3d-e) All these loci have major potential not just for scientific research, and for inclusion into the cultural and geo-heritage promoting programs and the related environmental management actions. The broader area encompasses several major physiographic units of the“Great Altai”including the Gorno Altai-Sayan Mountain Region, the Altai Region, the Mongolian Altai, the Chinese Altai (Kanas NP), and eight Kazakh districts In East Kazakhstan, five explicit naturerecreational areas can be defined by the regional ortho-climatic characteristics: the Zyryan (Rudno Altai), Katon-Karagay, Lake Markakol, Kurchum and Kalba/Shyngystau (Fig. 1) with pristine taiga, tundra, desert and rocky steppe habitats hosting rich endemic and elsewhere rare biota with unique floral and faunal communities. Only c. 2000– 3000 people come to Lake Markakol and the Kaldzhyr River area during the peak season in summer and early fall (Saparov and Zhensikbayeva 2016)

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION