No Private Villas Planned For New Mountain Resort Near Almaty

The Kok-Zhailau lands will not be removed from Ile-Alatau National Park during the construction of the Almaty Superski resort, Orda.kz reports.

They will retain the status of a specially protected natural area. The project also does not include the construction of private cottages or villas.

Deputy Prime Minister and Culture and Information Minister Aida Balaeva spoke about the project.

According to her, interest in natural, ecological, and mountain tourism in Kazakhstan has grown in recent years. In 2024 alone, 2.8 million people visited the country’s national parks.

Balaeva said growing tourist flows without proper infrastructure increase the burden on nature and create safety risks. Modern infrastructure, she said, should reduce this pressure through rules, visitor limits, well-planned routes, environmental monitoring, and a culture of responsible behavior.

She said Almaty Superski should be viewed not as a separate construction project, but as part of a broader plan to develop Almaty and Kazakhstan’s tourism industry.

The project is expected to make the mountains more accessible to different groups, including families with children, elderly visitors, and people with limited mobility. This would require cable cars, safe routes, visitor centers, observation decks, and basic sanitary infrastructure.

The connected Medeu–Shymbulak–Kok-Zhailau–Kumbel system would also help distribute tourist flows and reduce pressure on Shymbulak.

Balaeva said the project can only be implemented under strict environmental requirements, scientific supervision, public oversight, and the personal responsibility of those involved.

It is important for us to hear all opinions — residents, environmentalists, experts, and civil society representatives. But the discussion should be based on facts, scientific expertise, and an understanding of the long-term interests of Almaty and the whole country,Balaeva said.

Original author: Oksana Matviyenko

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