Today, December 9 of 2017 in Astana, Karim Massimov chaired an expanded meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Kazakhstan National Geographic Society, QazaqGeography.

During the meeting, the organization’s Executive Director Zhana Rustem, Chairman of the Media Council, Yerzhan Babakumarov and Chairman of the Managing Board, Kanat Baigarin made reports on the activities of QazaqGeography for 2017.

According to Zhana Rustem, in 2017 QazaqGeography held 19 large-scale events, among which are the expedition "Kieli Kazakhstan" on the sacred places of Western Kazakhstan, the youth festival "Khan Koryk", the EthnoArtFest international cultural and ethnic festival in Sairam-su, etc .

Together with the foreign partners of the Society, the complex work on the reintroduction of the Turanian tiger, the Przewalski’s horse continues. June 15 this year, amendments were made to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Specially Protected Natural Territories" on the possibility of including in the Red Book of species that disappeared in the wild.

Work is also under way to create the Ulytau State National Natural Park and the first accessible hiking trail in the Trans-Ili Alatau for the low-mobility groups, including persons with disabilities, by adapting the tourist infrastructure of the Ile-Alatau Park and the Kairak Falls.

In addition, QazaqGeography takes measures to develop tourism - the project "Aral — Hospitality without Limits" is being implemented, an expedition was conducted in the Zerendy district of the Akmola region. At the same time, support is being provided to the project to introduce avalanche safety equipment in the Almaty region.

Yerzhan Babakumarov in his speech outlined the main task of the media council of QazaqGeography — the gradual formation of the Kazakhstan Geographic Society brand and increasing its recognition, coordination of information, publishing and educating activities.

This year, QazaqGeography was involved in the implementation of the tasks set by the Head of State in the program article "Ruhani Zhangyru".

"We place special emphasis on the projects 'Tugan Zher' and 'Sacred Geography of Kazakhstan', because the goal of the geographical society is breeding patriotism through love to the homeland, knowledge of geography and sacred places for every Kazakhstani," the chairman of the media council noted.

Summing up the work for 2017, Yerzhan Babakumarov announced a number of realized media projects, including the release of a series of documentary television programs about sacred places following the expedition to Western Kazakhstan, the publication of a book on the Aral Sea and modern life in the region, a scientific brochure on the results of the archaeological and geological surveys of Turgai geoglyphs, a map of Bayanaul resort zone. Also, an electronic database of photographic materials has been created, which is available on the website QazaqGeography.kz.

Yerzhan Babakumarov also outlined plans for the coming year. It is planned to create a radio broadcast “The Hour of QazaqGeography”, publish electronic versions of maps, routes and guidebooks for Kazakhstan, as well as create an annual grant for conducting journalistic researches in the fields of earth, society and culture.

Chairman of the Managing Board Kanat Baigarin, reporting on the work carried out, noted that QazaqGeography continues to cooperate with international organizations, including the Wildlife Fund, as well as the geographical societies of Russia, the United States, China, and others.

Summing up the meeting, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Karim Massimov gave a number of instructions.

At the end of the meeting, the winners of "My Kazakhstan" photo contest were awarded, the contest was held from July 25 to October 24, 2017 in order to determine the best photos that show the nature, people and cities of Kazakhstan from new and unexpected perspectives.

The jury included eminent Kazakhstani photographers Yerbolat Shadrakhov, Turar Kazangapov and Arman Zhenikeyev. The winners were determined in three categories:

• QazaqGeoNature: A. Koshkina, A. Seksenbayeva, K.Telegenov;
• QazaqGeoPeople: F. Saifullin, A. Dzhaksylykov, E. Fedorov;
• QazaqGeoTowns: T. Yessekin, K. Telegenov, S. Artyushina.

In addition, in the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, from December 7 to 29, a joint exhibition of works of photo contests "My Kazakhstan" of the Kazakhstan National Geographic Society QazaqGeography, and "The Most Beautiful Country" of the Russian Geographical Society are being held. The exhibition presents 41 best works of all series and nominations of photo contests.

For reference: The Republican Public Association, Kazakhstan National Geographic Society (QazaqGeography), established in October 2013, operates in five areas: geography, climate; environment, natural resources; biodiversity; tourism, travel, local history; historical and cultural heritage, ethnography. At present, 11 representative offices are opened in the following regions: Almaty, Akmola, Aktobe, East-Kazakhstan, West-Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Kostanay, Mangistau, Pavlodar, North-Kazakhstan, and South-Kazakhstan.

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