The administration of the «Burabay» State National Nature Park has explained why beaches and sanitary infrastructure are not being installed along the entire shoreline of the lakes. The national park stated that such restrictions are due to its status as a specially protected natural area and the need to preserve natural ecosystems.
WHAT THE TOURIST COMPLAINED ABOUT
The discussion was prompted by a complaint from a holidaymaker about the condition of the recreation area at Maloye Chebachye Lake. According to the woman, during her visit she noticed water pollution, which led her to refrain from swimming.
The tourist also reported that there were no public toilets nearby. She said she had to walk about 500 metres towards the forest in search of a toilet, where she saw household rubbish and traces of human activity. After this, the woman stated that she no longer intended to return to this beach.
WHY INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT EVERYWHERE
As reported by the «Burabay» State National Nature Park, the area of the specially protected natural territory is nearly 130,000 hectares. The park includes seven large lakes, and the total length of the shoreline exceeds 100 km.
The administration noted that with the onset of the summer season, there has been an increase in questions on social media about the lack of beaches, toilets and other infrastructure on certain sections of the coast.
HOW MANY TOILETS WOULD BE NEEDED
Installing sanitary infrastructure along the entire shoreline, while meeting the necessary standards and distances between facilities, would require around 400 toilets. In addition, it would be necessary to ensure their constant maintenance, waste removal, water supply, cleaning of areas and round-the-clock upkeep.
The national park emphasised that such an approach is suitable for a city park or a resort complex, but does not align with the objectives of a specially protected natural area, where the priority remains the preservation of the natural environment.
WHY NOT EVERY SHORELINE IS SUITABLE FOR SWIMMING
The administration reminded that not all of the shoreline is intended for mass recreation. On officially equipped beaches, laboratory tests of water quality are carried out, the bottom of the water bodies is surveyed, sanitary control is ensured, and conditions are created for the safe stay of holidaymakers.
On unequipped sections, such measures are not undertaken. In this regard, as experts noted, it is impossible to guarantee the absence of dangerous underwater obstacles, sudden changes in depth, silted areas, and other risk factors. Water quality in such areas is also not monitored on an ongoing basis.
WHAT PRESSURE IS THE PARK UNDER
The recreational pressure on the territory of the national park continues to grow. In the last week alone, around 70,000 people visited the resort area.
The State National Nature Park emphasised that the overcrowding of equipped recreation areas on certain days is due to the objective ecological limitations of the territory, which cannot be endlessly expanded without harming nature.
