International agreements have addressed the water allocation issues between Kazakhstan and its neighbors

For the Syr Darya River, the existing principles governing water sharing among the Central Asian countries will remain valid (Agreement of 18 February 1992) until the adoption of a new water strategy for the Aral Sea basin, endorsed by the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination. Under the 1992 Agreement, the part of the Syr Darya surface water resources allocated to Kazakhstan has to be no less than 10 km³/year downstream of the Chardara reservoir. Considering the 4.5 km³/year of internal surface water resources generated in the Kazakh part of the Syr Darya River basin, it can be considered that the actual surface water resources in the Kazakh part of the Syr Darya basin are about 14.5 km³/year.

For the Chu and Talas rivers, flowing in from the Kyrgyz Republic, an interstate agreement has been reached with the Kyrgyz Republic (May 1992). This agreement addresses the water allocation issues between both republics, considering the total resources generated in the basin (including surface water, groundwater, and return flow) and taking into account the water evaporated from the lakes and reservoirs. On average, it can be considered that the part of the surface water resources allocated to Kazakhstan is 1.24 km³/year for the Chu basin and 0.79 km³/year for the Talas and Assa river basins.

6. Biodiversity loss problems in Kazakhstan

The total area of the Particularly Protected Natural Territories (PPNT) in Kazakhstan is more than 14,5 mln ha, or about 5,3 % of the republic territory.

Country	Protected territories, %
Australia
Turkmenistan
J Norway	9.2
US	3.3
Russia
Canada	1.5
Kazakhstan	0.5

There is high level of diversity of flora (more than 6000 species of vascular plants) and fauna (835 species of vertebrates and more than 50 000 of species of invertebrates) in Kazakhstan.

More than 404 species of plants and 309 species of animals require protection (endangered species) and are included into the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan.

Zapovedniks (Reserve or Refuge) – unchanged or weakly changed by human natural complexes with the strict prohibition of any economic and recreation activity to protect and study their wildlife.

№	Name	Foundation	Area, thousand ha	Oblast	Protected landscapes	Natural zones
	Aksu-Jabagly		85,6	South Kazakhstan	Mountain forests	Mountain
	Almaty		71,7	Almaty	Mountain forests	Mountain
	Barsa-kelmes		71,7	Kyzylorda	Desert	Desert
	West Altay		56,1	East Kazakhstan	Mountain forests	Mountain
	Korgalzhin		252,3	Akmola	Wetland	Steppe
	Markakol		75,0	East Kazakhstan	Mountain forests	Mountain
	Naurzum		87,7	Kostanay	Lake, steppe, forest	Steppe
	Ustyurt		223,3	Mangistau	Desert	Desert
	Alakol		12,5	Almaty	Wetland	Semi-Desert
	Karatau		34,3	South Kazakhstan	Mountain forests	Mountain, Forests-steppe

National parks – large areas with restricted human economic and recreation activities to protect and study their wildlife.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-02