40 Million Cubic Meters of Water Released Into Korgalzhyn Reserve to Protect Flamingo Habitats
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State water company Kazvodkhoz released 40 million cubic meters of water into the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn lake system to maintain the water balance and preserve biodiversity. The annual environmental releases are carried out in part to protect the habitats of flamingos and other birds, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said.
Three Kazvodkhoz branches took part in the operation: the K. Satpayev Canal, Karaganda and Akmola branches.
The Tengiz-Korgalzhyn lake system is located within the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve. It provides an important habitat for flamingos and other waterbirds and shorebirds.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation conducts environmental water releases in various regions of Kazakhstan each year. Water is directed to reservoirs and other bodies of water to maintain their balance and preserve local ecosystems.
During the releases, Kazvodkhoz specialists remain on duty around the clock at hydraulic facilities and reservoirs, overseeing water flows and conducting continuous monitoring.
To prevent the depletion of water bodies, the new Water Code adopted in 2025 introduced the concept of "environmental flow" for the first time. It refers to the minimum volume of water required to sustain the ecosystems of rivers, lakes and seas. The code also strengthened protections for small rivers and lakes and established a special conservation regime for wetlands and glaciers.
"Protecting water bodies from depletion and pollution is one of our most important priorities, alongside supplying farmers with irrigation water. The ministry is making extensive efforts to ensure a stable water supply to farmland without harming the environment. The introduction of water-saving technologies and modern metering tools allows us to distribute water efficiently while balancing the needs of the economy and the environment," Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov said.
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