Burabay National Park and Markakol Nature Reserve have been included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, Tengritravel reports.
Burabay National Nature Park is a natural protected area around Lake Burabay, in the Burabay District of Akmola Region, Kazakhstan. It is considered one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the country due to its scenic landscapes of pine-covered, pyramid-shaped peaks serving as a backdrop to a serene lake.
Markakol Nature Reserve is a protected area in the East Kazakhstan region with diverse flora and fauna. The territory stretches around Markakol - the biggest lake in the Altai Mountains. The reserve is open round the clock for visitors, but fishing and hunting are prohibited.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are specially protected areas of terrestrial and coastal/marine ecosystems, or combinations of such ecosystems, internationally recognised under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program. Their main purpose is to create a sustainable link between humans and nature without harming the environment and to enable the conservation of natural treasures for future generations.
The decision to add the two parks was made within the framework of the 34th session of the International Coordinating Council of the UNESCO "Man and the Biosphere" Programme. As of today, there are 15 biosphere reserves of the UNESCO program in Kazakhstan, the largest number among Central Asian countries.
