Alen Shakirov
Other projects
The overall goal of the project is prevention of loss of ichthyofauna biodiversity via studying of the modern status of the Ili-Balkhash water basin and causal relationships between the global warming, existing water content of the rivers in the region, water quantity, water quality and presence of endemic fish species.
The main objectives are: to clarify the modern status of indigenous ichthyofauna in watercourses of the Lake Balkhash basin, identify key territories and habitats and determinate main threats and ways of their prevention. The research will be based on the results of scientific studies and analysis of fish sampling. Subsequently, based on the data listed, series of publications and map will be collected in order to provide further researchers with relevant material for work.
The project will also familiarize the general public with the problem of indigenous ichthyofauna loss in South-East of Kazakhstan, and will pay attention of various stakeholders, including local authorities and communities, business and NGOs to the issue.
During the project implementation, we plan to establish partnership with environmental services and experts, for cooperation and control of environmental law violations in key water bodies.
A special place in the project will be devoted to the history of change and degradation of the habitats. The factors directly related to reduction of biological diversity in freshwater ecosystems will be considered in detail.
The mission of the project is to prevent extinction of endangered species of endemic fish, to show the importance of river ecosystems for the life of nature and people, and to strengthen their special status in the public mindfulness. This part of our work will be implemented through the provision of information in an accessible and understandable form and raising awareness and environmental education of the country's population.