Stuck in Suburbia

Sary-Arka

Grigory Bedenko

Sary-Arka is a vast steppe territory in central Kazakhstan with a very tough climate, but with a unique ecosystem, rich in flora and fauna and picturesque views. 

Saryarka — Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan is a part of the Kazakh Uplands (known in Kazakh as saryarka, or “yellow range”) which has been designated a world heritage site by UNESCO. It was inscribed on July 7, 2008.(see List of World Heritage Sites in Kazakhstan) The site comprises the Naurzum State Nature Reserve (located in Kostanay Province) and Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve(located in Aqmola Region). The two reserves contain wetlands which serve as important stop-over points for migrating birds from Africa, Europe, and South Asia. It is estimated that 15–16 million birds, including many endangered species, use the site as a feeding ground.The pink flamingos in particular are a major attraction within Korgalzhyn Reserve.

Soviet-era control rooms