In 2026, the first state nature reserve of Kazakhstan and Central Asia – Aksu-Zhabagly – will celebrate its 100th anniversary. To mark this milestone, a team of authors prepared a book dedicated to the oldest reserve of our country. The compiler and editor of the book “Aksu-Zhabagly 100 Years” is A.F. Kovshar, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, and Chief Researcher of the Institute of Zoology of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
This unique book, prepared for the 100th anniversary of the Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve, reflects a century of nature conservation in Kazakhstan. The publication includes:
- a rich illustrative collection featuring rare archival photographs and modern wildlife images;
- detailed descriptions of the reserve’s flora and fauna;
- historical materials and memories of employees from different generations;
- interesting facts and an extensive bibliography.
The “Aksu-Zhabagly 100 Years” book consists of three sections:
1. Reference section – “The Standard of the Western Tien Shan: Nature. History. Achievements”;
2. “Memories of the Reserve” from different periods of its existence;
3. “Bibliography of works on the reserve over one hundred years (1926–2025)”.
The first section was written by long-standing reserve researchers Anatoly Fedorovich Kovshar and Anna Andreevna Ivashchenko, Candidate of Biological Sciences, RAE Professor, and Leading Researcher of the Institute of Zoology. This section contains essays on the plant and animal world of the reserve and serves as a valuable reference on its nature, history and 100 years of biodiversity conservation and research.
The second section consists of memories about life and work in the reserve, written by both employees and visitors (students, researchers, expedition participants from different decades, starting from the 1920s). Each piece reflects the spirit of its time and provides information about those who protected and studied the reserve’s nature.
The third section concludes the book with a complete bibliography of more than 1,200 scientific and popular publications on the reserve over the past century. The list is grouped by several areas: general characteristics; geography, geology and paleobiology, soils; botany (lower and higher plants), pharmacognosy and phytochemistry; zoology (invertebrates, parasitology, vertebrates).
The book includes over 370 photographs depicting wildlife, researchers and elements of everyday life from past decades.
In 2016, the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve was inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List as part of the “Western Tien Shan”. The reserve is renowned for its rich flora and fauna and is an important natural area within the global network of UNESCO MAB biosphere reserves.
The “Aksu-Zhabagly 100 Years” book is intended to make a significant contribution to preserving scientific heritage, promoting conservation activities and raising environmental awareness in society.
A small print run of the book is planned for the anniversary date (June 2026). However, a financial partner (sponsor) is required for publication. Supporting the project will make it possible to:
- publish a high-quality full-colour book accessible to the scientific community, students, schoolchildren and the general public;
- honour the sponsor’s contribution to the development of nature conservation;
- place the partner’s acknowledgment and logo in the publication (and, if necessary, at related events and book presentations).
We invite interested organizations and companies to become partners in the publication of this important book. Your support will help preserve the history, knowledge and traditions that have served the cause of nature conservation for a century.
The “Aksu-Zhabagly 100 Years” book is available in pdf format on the Institute of Zoology website in the “Popular Science Publications” section.
The book will be interesting and useful for a wide audience: schoolchildren, students, scientists, representatives of environmental and public organizations, and everyone interested in the study and conservation of Kazakhstan’s natural wealth.
Download, read and share information about the new book “Aksu-Zhabagly 100 Years” — it is important not only for promoting conservation activities, but also for helping more people in Kazakhstan and beyond learn about the reserve’s history, its flora and fauna, achievements in biodiversity conservation and more. The book also contributes to raising ecological culture, supporting scientific research and increasing public attention to the preservation of unique natural areas.
We express our sincere gratitude to the authors of the book, especially the staff of the Institute of Zoology who worked for decades in the Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve and dedicated their lives to the science of Kazakhstan – Anatoly Fedorovich Kovshar (compiler and editor) and Anna Andreevna Ivashchenko, for their diligent work, deep scientific approach and careful preservation of the reserve’s history. This valuable edition became possible thanks to their efforts!
10.12.2025
When using materials from the website of the Institute of Zoology of the CS MES RK, a reference to the original source is required.