Incidents of vandalism have once again been recorded in the Akmola Region, at one of the most fragile natural sites in Kazakhstan — the pink Lake Kobeytuz, located 150 kilometres from Astana. According to the Telegram channel «HALYQSTAN», tourists continue to take pink salt from the bottom of the reservoir, causing serious damage to its ecosystem.
Of particular concern is the sale of this collected salt online at a price of up to 5,000 tenge per kilogram. Police have now launched a search for those involved in damaging the natural site.
Lake Kobeytuz gained widespread fame in 2020, when photos of its bright pink water spread across social media and the media, sparking interest among Kazakhstanis and foreign tourists alike. At that time, mass visits nearly led to an environmental disaster — authorities were forced to restrict access to the reservoir to prevent its degradation.
The problem of salt extraction from pink lakes is not limited to Kobeytuz. In 2023, a commission from the Ministry of Ecology confirmed the fact of salt extraction at Lake Koryakovka in the Pavlodar Region, though not on an industrial scale. Local residents were taking salt using "primitive methods in small tubs" for personal use, which also had a negative impact on the reservoir's condition.
Ecologists emphasise that pink lakes are not photo zones nor sources of souvenirs, but rare natural phenomena that require protection. Such interference can lead to irreversible consequences and the loss of the country's unique natural heritage.