Encyclopedic photo book AQJAIYQ dedicated to Zhaiyk River basin (Ural) flora and fauna was presented on December 24, 2024 in Astana. The book was published with CPC-K support.
The presentation gathered leading environmental experts, photographers, media representatives and organizations working to preserve the natural heritage of Kazakhstan.
Representatives of ministries and departments, members of the RK Parliament, representatives of domestic and foreign companies were invited to the event.
The Zhaiyk/Ural River is the largest water resource of particular importance for the economy and ecology of Kazakhstan. The river originates in Russia, flows through Bashkortostan, Chelyabinsk and Orenburg regions, and in Kazakhstan - through West Kazakhstan and Atyrau oblast. The length of the river is 2,420 kilometers with more than 1,000 kilometers running through Kazakhstan. The Zhaiyk feeds natural landscapes over a vast territory supporting vitality of many ecosystems and being a source of drinking water for cities and towns.
The AQJAIYQ project aims to preserve and promote a unique natural and cultural value of the Zhaiyk River and to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the region ecosystem. For maximum readership all materials of the book are published in Kazakh, Russian and English languages.
The project combines science, art and ecology focusing on visualization of natural heritage through photography.
The book includes works of Kazakhstani and foreign photographers, each of them in their own way conveyed the uniqueness of the Zhaiyk River nature.
The basis for creating the photo album was an expedition conducted in 2019 with support of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. Well-known scientists, researchers and photographers explored the ecosystem of the Zhaiyk River basin and documented amazing natural features, studied animals and birds in their habitats. As part of this expedition, a photo exhibition was arranged in Atyrau which aroused great interest among the public. Some of the photos presented at the exhibition were selected for inclusion in the AQJAIYQ photo book which is now an important contribution to ecosystem research and preservation of the region’s natural heritage. The book also shows the consequences of massive flood in spring of 2024.
“The Ural-Zhaiyk is the third largest river in Europe. It is a link between our two countries. Originating in Russia, the Ural-Zhaiyk River carries its waters across the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan all the way to the Caspian Sea. A large and complex ecosystem whose natural riches - fresh water, flora and fauna - are the national heritage of Russia and Kazakhstan,” wrote Nikolay Gorban, CPC General Director, in his address to readers.
“I believe that new AQJAIYQ photo album will become an important and useful resource for nature lovers and people who want to learn more about our native land. The edition will be donated to educational institutions and public libraries, educational establishments of Atyrau and Atyrau region - as part of charity program to support the regions of CPC-K operation”, - noted in the opening remarks, K. Kabyldin, CPC-K Deputy General Director, RK Government Relations.
During the presentation of photo album project organizers and authors described the structure and themes of the album and told about 2019 expedition. Expedition participants - scientists and photographers - shared their impressions and experience of working on the project and discussed the importance of the Zhaiyk River for Kazakhstan, as well as its environmental condition.
AQJAIYQ is the second edition of popular science series. Earlier, with the support of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium a photo album AQBÓKEN Saiga tatarica dedicated to the problems of saiga saving was published. Book about ancient animal especially revered by Kazakhs aroused great interest and was handed over to scientific educational institutions and public libraries in Kazakhstan. The photo album has become part of a large program to save the saiga population in Kazakhstan, to which the Caspian Pipeline Consortium has made a significant contribution.
For information:
CPC Pipeline System is one of the major projects in energy sector in the CIS. The length of the Tengiz – Novorossiysk pipeline is 1,511 km. This route transports over two-thirds of all Kazakhstan export oil, and crude from Russian oil fields, including those in the Caspian Region. CPC Marine Terminal is equipped with three Single Point Moorings (SPM) that allow to load tankers safely at a significant distance offshore.
CPC Shareholders: Russian Federation – 24 %, IC CPC Company (LLC) – 7%, NC KazMunayGas JSC – 19%, Kazakhstan Pipeline Ventures LLC – 1.75%, Chevron Caspian Pipeline Consortium Company – 15%, Lukoil International GmbH - 12.5%, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company– 7.5%, Rosneft-Shell Caspian Ventures Limited– 7.5%, BG Overseas Holdings Limited– 2%, Eni International N.A. N.V. S.ar.l. – 2% and Oryx Caspian Pipeline LLC – 1.75%.