The 29th International Ecological Expedition “Bizdin Zhaiyk – Our Ural” has started in Uralsk. This unique initiative to save the river has been uniting the public, scientists and volunteers of two countries – Kazakhstan and Russia – for almost three decades.

Each rafting is not just a route, but a dialogue with nature, history and people living along the once mighty river. This year, the expedition is being held as part of the republican campaign “Taza Kazakhstan”.

The central event at the initial stage of the expedition was the gathering of participants at the Museum of Nature and Ecology of the West Kazakhstan Region, where a review of archival materials took place. Photo chronicles from previous years show the scale of the work done, which united several generations of participants in the movement following the expedition “in the footsteps of Pravdukhin”, and evoke a sense of involvement.

– We went out to the river with almost no experience, with the simplest equipment and maximum faith, – shares her memories the chairperson of the public organization of ecological and tourist movement “Bizdin Zhaiyk – Nash Ural” Elena Tarasenko. – We understood: this is not just a hike, this is a way to give the Urals a voice. Thanks to the movement “Bizdin Zhaiyk – Nash Ural” for the first time at the level of the governments of the two countries the problems of the river were noticed, and they became the subject of discussion at the highest level. Today the Ural River is not just a geographical object, but a point of contact of ecology, history and dialogue between peoples, our common river has become a living symbol of responsibility and unity.

An important result of many years of work was the creation of the Kazakh-Russian Commission for the Preservation of the Ural Basin Ecosystem. The Commission ensures systematic monitoring, exchange of scientific information and implementation of joint environmental projects.

This year, for the first time, the expedition was joined by a member of the Council of Senators, Dinara Nuketaeva:

“The expedition “Bizdin Zhaiyk – Nash Ural” and the international movement itself remain a unique example of how public initiatives can cause real changes, unite people and inspire the preservation of nature, which connects peoples and cultures, ” she emphasized.

Veteran, local historian, respected aksakal Zhaisan Akbai, one of the first participants of the expedition, who stood at its origins, gave his parting words “bata” to the participants of the expedition. Despite his venerable age, he personally came to see the team off, reminding them of the continuity of generations and the importance of preserving the great river.

The expedition route will pass through the villages of Rubezhinskoye and Dar’inskoye in the Baiterek district, Terektinsky district (Dubrava and Saurkin Yar), with the finish line at the Atameken children’s camp. There will be meetings with children, master classes and environmental quizzes as part of the “Clean Shores and Good Neighborliness for the Urals” campaign.

В ЗКО стартовала экологическая экспедиция «Бiздiң Жайық – Наш Урал»