LocationsKazakhstan expands protected areas with new nature park in Zhambyl region
August 21, 2025
Nature Park in the Zhambyl region
Kazakhstan has officially established the Merke Nature Park in the Zhambyl region, marking a significant milestone in the protection of biodiversity, water resources, and cultural heritage. Covering over 86,000 hectares in the Western Tien Shan, the park is home to rare and endemic species, including snow leopards, Indian gazelles, and argali sheep. A recent wildlife census recorded eight snow leopards, 120 argali sheep, 20 Indian gazelles, and 22 Turkestan lynxes within the park’s boundaries.
“The Merke Regional Nature Park is a major step toward sustainable management of natural resources and the conservation of ecosystems that underpin the well-being of future generations. This achievement was made possible through strong collaboration between the government, residents, and international partners,”said Daniyar Turgambayev, Chair of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The establishment of a new state regional nature park underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to ecosystem preservation, environmental sustainability, and the strategic expansion of protected areas as part of its broader efforts to meet global biodiversity and climate goals. Beyond its role in ecosystem protection, the newly established nature park opens avenues for ecotourism, environmental education, and inclusive community engagement in sustainable land use. Planned initiatives include the development of essential infrastructure, the creation of local employment opportunities, the advancement of scientific research, and close collaboration with surrounding communities to ensure long-term stewardship of the park’s natural resources.
“UNDP supports Kazakhstan’s efforts to expand its protected area system and strengthen environmental policy at the regional level. Merke Park is a strong example of how local initiatives contribute to global biodiversity goals and climate resilience,”said Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.
As part of ongoing cooperation between the Government of Kazakhstan and UNDP, ten new specially protected natural areas have already been created, such as the Akzhayik, Altyn-Dala, Ile-Balkhash nature reserves and Buyratau, Zhongar Alatau and Tarbagatai national parks, while the areas of six existing specially protected natural areas were expanded. For the first time in Kazakhstan, the Kapshagay-Balkhash and Yrgyz-Torgay-Zhylanshyk ecological corridors were created on an area of 2.9 million hectares, which today makes it possible to protect the migration routes of rare species of wildlife.
Forests play a vital role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: from climate action and life on land to responsible consumption and production, and in empowering women working in or relying on the forest sector. Forests are a key focus of UNDP's current Country Programme for Kazakhstan (2021–2025) and will remain a priority in the following programme cycle (2025–2030).
Nature Park in the Zhambyl region
UNDP has long supported Kazakhstan in developing strategic and legislative frameworks for forest conservation and building institutional capacity in the forestry sector. Innovative pilot solutions have also been introduced, including the establishment of the country’s first and only gene bank of seeds of especially valuable tree species in Kazakhstan, which ensures long-term storage of seeds of 18 of the forest-forming tree species.
Significant policy progress has been achieved in partnership with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. For the first time, the term “forest ecosystem services” was introduced into the national Forest Code, enabling conservation institutions to attract private investment in forest protection. Additionally, a scenario-based assessment of forest sector development, using the international Targeted Scenario Analysis methodology, demonstrated that the scenario based on sustainable ecosystem management offered the most significant potential to reduce threats and expand national forest cover.
Over the last twenty-five years, UNDP, with financial support from the Global Environment Facility and through related grants with the Government of Kazakhstan, has implemented several large-scale initiatives aimed at preserving biodiversity, increasing energy efficiency and energy conservation in the residential sector, developing the renewable energy sector, and the green financial instruments market.
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