Almaty's landmark conference champions mountain ecosystems and sustainable ecotourism

Almaty recently hosted an international conference on preserving mountain ecosystems and sustainable development. The event coincided with the 30th anniversary of Ile-Alatau National Park, a protected area spanning over 200,000 hectares. The conference highlighted Kazakhstan’s ecotourism strategy, with Almaty’s national parks serving as a pilot for the initiative. Attendees discussed the need for ecotourism to balance nature conservation, education, and infrastructure development while complying with environmental laws and functional zoning.

To mark the anniversary, a time capsule, a memorial, and an educational trail were inaugurated. Over the years, the park has seen significant progress, including the planting of more than 5 million trees. It has also implemented 47 tourist routes and 94 investment projects.

Experts emphasised that preserving Eurasia’s mountain ecosystems requires an integrated approach to land use and international cooperation. The conference underscored the importance of sustainable practices in ecotourism. Ile-Alatau National Park’s achievements over three decades demonstrate progress in conservation and development. The new initiatives aim to ensure long-term protection for the region’s ecosystems.