PALEONTOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF THE ULY-ZHILANSHIK RIVER BASIN (TURGAI DEPRESSION): GEOHERITAGE CONSERVATION AND TOURISM POTENTIAL
Nigmatova S. Zhamangara A. Akmagambet S. Bayshashov B. Madiyarova I. Seidali A. Al’magambetova D. Kashaganov K.
2026Editura Universitatii din Oradea
Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites
2026#64Issue 1383 - 392 pp.
The aim of this study is to assess the geoheritage of the Uly-Zhilanshik River Basin in the Turgai Depression (Western Central Kazakhstan) and to evaluate its potential for conservation and sustainable geotourism deve lopment. The basin is a geoheritage area of national and international significance, preserving well-exposed Cenozoic stratigraphic sections that document paleoenvironmental evolution and hosting numerous fossil flora and fauna localities that inform regio nal paleoclimatic and paleoecological reconstructions. These geological and paleontological features constitute a natural archive of Earth history and provide a scientific basis for territorial planning and conservation policy. The research combined field surveys of geological and geomorphological sites with an assessment of geotouristic attractiveness of natural complexes, comparative-geographical and socio-cultural analyses, and a review of environmental protection regulations. A SWOT analysis was additionally applied to identify strengths, constraints, development opportunities, and potential risks associated with tourism growth. The study demonstrates the high scientific, educational, and touristic value of the Cenozoic sections, paleontological localities, and associated landscapes, and identifies prospects for integrating geotourism into nature conservation initiatives and regional management strategies. Key directions for sustainable development are outlined, highlighting geotourism as a practical conservation instrument and a viable alternative to resource-extractive economic models. The results support the need for targeted protection measures, responsible access planning, and the incorporation of the Uly-Zhilanshik Basin into broader geoheritage and geopark frameworks within the Turgai Depression.
Cenozoic , Central Kazakhstan , fossil flora and fauna , geoheritage , geotourism , GIS Analysis , natural landscapes , nature conservation , sustainable development , Turgai Depression
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
Kazakh National Research Technical University, K.I. Satpayev Institute of Geological Sciences, Laboratory of Mesozoic and Cenozoic Geology, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Laboratory of Paleobotany, Astana Botanical Garden, Astana, Kazakhstan
Astana International University, Astana, Kazakhstan
KSU Gymnasium named after Maxim Gorky of the Education Department of Kostanay of the Education, Department of the Akimat of Kostanay Region Kostanay, Kazakhstan
Kazakh National Research Technical University
Laboratory of Paleobotany
Astana International University
KSU Gymnasium named after Maxim Gorky of the Education Department of Kostanay of the Education
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026