Kolsay Lakes National Park
Kolsay Lakes National Park is located on the north slope of the Tian Shan Mountains, southeast Kazakhstan. Often referred to as "Pearls of Tien Shan", the park's main feature are the Kolsay Lakes located between the Raiymbek District and Talgar District of Almaty Region. The scenic Lake Kaindy is also within the park. The park boundary is southeast of Almaty. Lakes of landslide-tectonic origin, approximately formed in 1887 and 1911 on the Kaindy and Kolsay rivers.
Conservation
Nature conservation is an important part of the park's mission, with 72% of the territory under strict protection, and 13% set aside for tourism and recreation. UNESCO includes the park to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.Topography
The park's lakes are strung along the Kolsay River, which flows south-to-north out of the Tian Shan. Two ranges of the Tian Shan contribute: the Küngöy Ala-Too Range and the Trans-Ili Alatau. The major lakes include:Lower Kolsay Lake. A natural mountain reservoir formed by landslides that block the Kolsay River. The lower lake is about 1 km long, 400 meters wide, and 80 meters in depth. It is accessible by road and has guest-houses and campsites. . Middle Kolsay Lake . Five kilometers upstream from the lower lake, the middle lake is the largest of the three, and reaches a depth of 50 meters. . It is considered the most scenic of the three Kolsay Lakes.Upper Kolsay Lake. Six kilometers above the middle lake, the upper lake is surrounded by spruce trees and alpine meadows. It is 6 km from the Sara-Buluk pass and Kyrgyzstan. .Lake Kaindy. Located 11 km east of the Kolsay Lakes, Kaindy Lake is located by the Chilik River. The lake is known for its mirror-smooth reflection and stands of dead spruce trunks rising from the water. It was formed in 1911.Ecoregion
The protected area of the Kolsay lakes became open to everyone who wants to visit it only a few years ago, so here the nature is preserved in its pristine state.The park is located the Tian Shan montane steppe and meadows ecoregion, which covers the middle and upper altitudes of the Tian Shan mountains of Central Asia. The area experiences enough rain to support meadows and forests. Also, because of its isolation, it nurtures many rare plants and animal species.
Climate
The climate in the Kolsay Lakes region has been described as a "Humid continental climate, cool summer subtype". The region's climate is characterized by large swings in temperature, both diurnally and seasonally, with mild summers and cold winters.In July, temperatures can range from during the day, to at night.
Plants and animals
The area is ecologically clean and rich in wild plants, many of which are medicinal. Rare local plants include: apricot, ili barberry, hawthorn, and Alberta iris. In the entire area of the Kolsay lakes, in coniferous forests after heavy rains, various mushrooms appear.Scientists have recorded 704 species of plants in the park. For animals, the park has recorded 50 species of mammals, 197 species of birds, 2 species of reptiles, 2 species of amphibian, and 2 species of fish. Six mammals found in the park are classified as rare in Kazakhstan, including the Tian Shen brown bear, Central Asian river kamşatı, Turkestan lynx, Snow leopard, Tien Shan argali, and the stone marten.