Kazakhstan is creating a state reserve to preserve the population of the Caspian seal, RIA Novosti reports citing Serikkali Brekeshev, Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic.

“Issues of conservation of the Caspian seal population are important. As part of the presidential order, work is underway to create a state natural reserve on the Caspian Sea,” Brekeshev said at a government meeting on Tuesday.

According to him, a natural-scientific basis is being prepared, which the department plans to "receive in January 2023 and then proceed to develop a feasibility study."

At the XVII Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan in September 2021, Kazakh leader Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev proposed the creation of state reserves in the Northern Caspian to preserve the population of the Caspian seal. In his opinion, the issue of reducing the population of the Caspian seal, which is included in the "Red Book" of both countries, is acute. Tokayev noted that urgent measures are needed to preserve this unique animal, protect their habitat and reproduction.

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