Korgalzhyn state nature reserve : management process and its problems

Abstract

This descriptive qualitative study is looking at the management of Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve (KSNR) in Kazakhstan. The objective was to identify the problems in the management system and to suggest some recommendation for the stakeholders for the sake of the KSNR's functions, both recreational and ecological reserve. Interview and document reviews were conducted to collect the necessary data. Comparative analysis has been employed to analyze the primary and secondary data. It was found that KSNR management system consist of three subsystems namely service management, resource management, and visitor management; each of them has its own problems, where integrated solutions are needed due to their interrelationships. Service management subsystem was facing some problems with funding and budgetary, human resources, public relations, natural and non-natural disasters, and infrastructural problems. Resource management subsystem has to deal with some problems around infrastructure, environmental control, and abusive behaviors from irresponsible parties. Visitor management subsystem needs to solve some problems with infrastructure and visitor-relationships. This study concluded some integrated solutions to be recommended to the management of KSNR. It was recommended to refer to the other nature reserves management in other countries where the governments allocated more percentage of the funding, other suggestions in term of financial difficulty was to attract more concerning NGOs and individuals to be actively involved in rightful usages of the park. Solving funding problems would likely to solve human resource problems, where KSNR should be able to involve more expert personnel and reorganize the structure of the roster, as well as provide adequate infrastructures to solve problems around disasters control. It is also recommended to put more priority to formally and informally educate school-students to be aware about KSNR, where the awareness would lead to higher interest of rightful usages and further studies in related useful area. Aside of infrastructural reorganization and development, it is necessary for KSNR management to develop good mutual relationships with other institutions and society nearby KSNR in order to obtain more participation in reserving the ecological and recreational opportunities in KSNR. For the future researchers, it is recommended to perform more in-depth qualitative studies on each management subsystem and/or thorough quantitative studies on several management factors existed.