For the second year in a row, a unique festival dedicated to the red Book kulan is held in the Zhetisu region, because the largest part of its population, which is 3,600 individuals, lives in this region, on the territory of the Altynemel State National Natural Park in the Kerbulak district. More and more tourists come to admire these graceful animals every year. So, since the beginning of the year, 24 thousand people have already visited the park, 7 thousand of them are foreign tourists, including from India, China, Korea, France, Germany and CIS countries, the press service of the akim of the Zhetisu region reports.
The initiators and organizers of the event for the second year are the leadership of the national park, the akimat of the region and the tourist information center "Visit Zhetysu".
This year the festival was held near another unusual natural object of the park – the Singing Dune. Formed 10-12 thousand years ago, a sand dune with a length of 3 km and a height of 150 meters is the hallmark of the park, a natural wonder of the Zhetisu region. As part of the festival, everyone could take part in the marathon, running the route from the Sh spring.Valikhanov to the top of the dune, which, by the way, not everyone could overcome. Those who nevertheless reached the very top were able to admire the magnificent view of the Ili River and the park territory, and those who were doubly lucky, rolling down the slope, could even hear the dune "singing". In addition, various sports games and a concert program were organized for the participants of the festival.
- The Altynemel – kulandar Mekeni festival is held for the second year. About 1000 people participate, including from Almaty and other regions. Last year, we held a festival near the Altynemel visitor center, within the framework of which a unique event took place - participants were able to see a herd of kulans live in their natural habitat. And this year the festival is organized near one of the unique tourist sites of the Zhetisu region. This is Aigaykum, or a Singing dune. Photo and video safaris have also been organized for the participants so that they can see kulans, gazelles and other unique animals of the park. All this together helps to develop eco-tourism, because national parks belong to one of the 5 tourist destinations of the Zhetisu region," said Zhandos Nuriev, head of the tourist information center "Visit Zhetysu".
According to the organizers, the festival is aimed primarily at the preservation of Red Book animals, including kulans. Several decades ago, about 30 individuals were brought to the national park from Turkmenistan, and now the largest population in the country lives here. For example, if last year about 3 thousand kulans lived in the park, this year their number has already reached 3,600. Part of this biological species from the national park is resettled in other regions.
- The increase in the animal population, the development of the park, and the growth in the number of tourists are primarily facilitated by government support. 14 new motorcycles and a motorboat were purchased to improve security, 10 tractors, snowmobiles and a drone were also purchased, which can be launched at night. As part of the festival, our fleet received 14 SUVs. The support of the akimat of the region to improve the road infrastructure is of great importance. The ongoing image events help to attract tourists. All this together has a positive effect on the development of the park and the preservation of unique fauna and flora. If 16 thousand tourists visited our park last year, then 24 thousand have already visited it since the beginning of this year. That is, the growth is almost 2 times," said Kuat Baiturbayev, Director General of the State National Natural Park "Altyemel".
By the way, the total territory of the national park exceeds 307 thousand hectares. Altynemel has the international status of a UNESCO biosphere reserve for the preservation of unique nature, rare animals and monuments of historical and cultural heritage. There are 31 species of rare plants and 66 species of animals listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan and the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These are snow leopards, kulans, gazelles and many others. Recently, brown bears have also been spotted in the mountainous area. The National Park is also famous for its unique natural sites. These are the Singing Dune, the Cretaceous mountains of Aktau, the desert lava mountains of Katutau, the 700-year-old willow, the Saka mounds of Besshatyr and the petroglyphs of Tanbala tas. The participants of the festival were able to admire a part of these unique natural objects during the second day of the event, when an additional photo and video safari was organized.
- Now Kazakhstan is very popular in India, especially due to its stunning nature. We have already visited Shymkent, Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, and today we are exploring the Altynemel National Park and the singing Aigaikum dune. Words cannot convey our emotions," said Nambutaseha, a tourist from India.
Renata Linnik, a young guest from Almaty, also shared her impressions about the festival:
- I was here for the first time about 5 years ago with my family. Last time, it was not possible to hear the "singing" of the dune. But this time I was lucky, sometimes I heard such a chest-deep drawling sound made by a dune. It is worth mentioning separately about the emotions that embrace at the top. Such silence, peace and quiet, indescribable beauty. I think that such festivals are very important, they unite and show how beautiful our world and our nature are.
By the way, in order to improve the road infrastructure, a major overhaul of the 23 km long section of the Saryozek – Koktal Republican road, that is, at the Altynemel pass, was carried out this year. The current repair of the 0-45 km section of this road has also begun, which is planned to be completed next year.
The press service of the akim of the Zhetisu region
Photos provided by the tourist information center "Visit Zhetysu"

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/zhetysu-oblysy/press/news/details/877175