Kolsai Lakes National Park

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

About Park

Kolsai Lakes State National Nature Park (in Kazakh “Көлсай көлдері” мемлекеттік ұлттық табиғи паркі) was formed according to Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan No.88 of February 07, 2007.

Location

Almaty region. Raiymbek district Talgar district

42.5600″ N. 78″ E.

Geography

The purpose of its establishment is to preserve and restore the unique natural complexes of the Almaty region, which have special ecological, historical, scientific, aesthetic, and recreational value, and to ensure their further development.

The territory of the park was formed by merging reserve lands and forest fund lands of the Kegen State Forestry Institution. The entire area has state acts confirming permanent land use rights. Specifically, 148,256 hectares in the Kegen district and 12,807 hectares in the Talgar district.

The national park consists of four forestry units:

• Taushelek Forestry

• Kurmety Forestry

• Kolsai Forestry

• Karabulak Forestry

The total area covers 161,045 hectares.

Flora and Fauna

The flora of the national park has more than 700 species. There are plants listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan — Kungei stipa (Stipa kungeica), golden adonis (Adōnis vernālis), Tianshan adonis (Adonis tyanschanica), orange yellow cress (Erysimum perofskianum), Schrenk’s spruce (Picea schrenkiana) and others.
The fauna is also rich and diverse — it has more than 200 species of vertebrates. It is home to representatives of 4 species of fish, 2 species of amphibians, 197 species of birds and 29 species of mammals.
Birds listed in the Red Book — blue whistling thrush, painted tit-warbler, golden eagle, bearded vulture, saker falcon, Himalayan vulture.
Among mammals, there are such red-book list animals as argali, Tianshan bear, snow leopard, Turkestan lynx, Central Asian otter (Lutra lutra seistanica).

Climate

The climatic conditions of the territory, especially the mid-mountain zone of Kungei Alatau, are favorable for tourism, which is facilitated by a comfortable temperature regime, clean air, the absence of winds and extreme heat. The period duration according to the average daily air temperature +15 is 110-120 days. In the transitional seasons of the year, sunny, moderately humid weather with precipitation dominates.

Seasonality is all year round. The warm season and the most comfortable time to visit lasts from May to October; at this time there are plenty of opportunities for lovers of fishing, hiking and horseback riding. In winter, our park is also attractive for tourists – clean winter air, ice fishing and hiking.

5,6 °С