On September 16, 2023, the Recreation Geography and Tourism Department of the of Geography and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University took part in the environmental campaign “World Cleanup Day” on the territory of the Almaty State Nature Reserve. The visit to the reserve was organized by senior teacher A.A. Zhakupova. Such visits to its territory are carried out regularly in order for students to study the work features of specially protected natural areas of the Republic of Kazakhstan within the framework of the discipline “Geography of Tourism of Kazakhstan”. This day, 20 students and employees of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, in addition to the usual visit program, took part in the environmental campaign “World Cleanup Day”.

On the way to the Almaty State Nature Reserve to study the local flora and fauna, the students visited the Museum of Nature, which is located in the city of Talgar. For example, the reserve is home to a bird weighing two grams, Remiz coronatus. Her nest looks like a jug woven from fluff. The material from which the nest is made can treat about 80 human diseases. On the territory of the reserve, students and teachers took part in the “World Cleanup Day” campaign and collected garbage from visitors and guests of the Sputnik children’s camp, the Sputnik rest home and regular visitors of the NGO “Kazakhstan Society of the Blind” named after Z.B. Beisekova (https://www .instagram.com/reel/CxSptuGNMxC/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D). After the action, students and teachers were offered an excursion to the Monakhovo Gorge. The nature of the reserve is enchanting and brought a lot of pleasure to the visitors, but the route turned out to be a bit difficult for them. However, everyone safely reached the waterfall in the gorge. A group photo was taken here. Participants were able to breathe clean air and enjoy the sound of a mountain waterfall. The ecological trail to the Monakhovo Gorge waterfall does not require special skills or equipment, but requires minimal requirements for physical fitness and health of participants. In Monakhov Gorge, the students took photographs and video recordings for memory, rested and received a good boost of energy.

The visit to a specially protected natural area of Kazakhstan is related to the sustainable development goals: “Goal 15: Preservation of terrestrial ecosystems” – protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems and promotion of their rational use, sustainable forest management, combating to desertification, halting and reversing the process of land degradation and stopping the process of biodiversity loss; “Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being” – promotes healthy lifestyles and well-being for people at all ages.