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Urkash-Zharsor System of Lakes

Geographic Location

This site is located at 51° 22' 35'' N and 62° 48' 46'' E, 240 m above sea level, in Kamyshinsk Rayon (District), 15 km to the west from Druzhba village and 250 km to the southwest of Kostanay.

Overview

Urkash and Zharsor are salty lakes, surrounding a 15 km stretch of virgin and fallow land. This territory is representative of Northern Kazakhstan natural wetlands and creates a valuable habitat for a number of rare bird species during spring and autumn migration. It is a mass crane roosting ground during the fall and spring migration seasons. The steppe between the lakes serves as nesting place for such rare bird species as Little Bustard, Demoiselle Crane, and Sociable Plover. Endemic species of the Kazakh steppe also inhabit this site, such as Black and White-winged Larks. The total area of the lake system is approximately 15,000 ha.

The main threats are the increasing frequency of fires in the area, and illegal hunting.

Conservation Status

There is no protection status of the site, nor have any specific conservation measures been undertaken.

SCWP Objectives

The project is working towards designation of the site as a special ornithological refuge (zakaznik), with a year-round or seasonal (April-May and August-September) protection of the lakes and the steppes between the lakes. Upon achievement of protection status, the seasonal protection would be conducted through activities of special field brigades organized within the local Wildlife Protection Inspection.

Environmental education in the rayon (district) is carried out by Naurzumski Zapovednik and NGO “Naurzum.” The SCWP will establish a comprehensive education and public awareness program for the site.

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Last update: March 23, 2005.

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