Tengrinews.kz — Lake Kobeytuz in the Akmola region, renowned for its unique pink hue, will be designated as a specially protected natural area. This decision was made following a directive from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. To achieve this, the boundaries of the Buiratau State National Nature Park will be expanded to include the lake's waters.
This move is expected to ensure the protection of Kobeytuz's unique ecosystem, which has faced increasing pressure in recent years due to an influx of tourists.
Lake to be placed under state protection
Located approximately 160 kilometers from Astana, Kobeytuz is considered one of Kazakhstan's most recognizable natural landmarks. The lake attracts thousands of tourists, particularly when the water takes on its characteristic pink color. However, the site's growing popularity requires not only infrastructure development but also strengthened conservation measures.
The Akmola regional administration reported stated that alongside the granting of protected status, improvements to the surrounding area will begin. Plans include equipping a viewing platform and a parking lot so that visitors can observe the natural phenomenon and photograph the lake without entering particularly vulnerable areas.
The administration's press service noted emphasized that the main goal is to create conditions where people can safely experience the natural attraction without causing it harm.
"We must create conditions where people can safely and comfortably experience this unique location and enjoy the picturesque views without causing any harm to the lake. Preserving Kobeytuz in its pristine form for future generations is only possible through professional site management and strict adherence to environmental standards," the administration stressed.
Access to be restricted during improvements
Access to the lake will be restricted while the work is carried out. Visitors will be prohibited from approaching the shoreline or staying within the surrounding territory beyond established safety zones. 24-hour checkpoints will be organized at the entrances to Kobeytuz, and the area will be patrolled by police officers in cooperation with authorized agencies.
It is specifically noted that swimming in the lake and collecting salt from its shores are prohibited. Earlier, the Akmola Regional Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Regulation conducted a study of the water's hydrochemical properties. The analysis revealed that maximum permissible concentrations for several substances—including ammonium nitrogen, ammonia, chlorides, arsenic, and sulfates—were exceeded. Consequently, entering the water may pose a health risk, while salt extraction causes additional damage to the natural site.
Environmental issues persist
The decision to strengthen the lake's protection comes amid ongoing environmental concerns. Recently, Kobeytuz was once again littered with trash after it began to recover and started attracting large numbers of tourists once more.
Videos appearing on social media show significant amounts of fresh waste around the body of water. The author of one post urged others to show the public not just spectacular photos of the pink lake, but its real condition.
"Perhaps people need to be shown the actual state of the lake today, and not just beautiful photos for their accounts. Maybe then people will stop to think and finally start protecting our nature," the post reads.
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In the comments, users recounted instances where visitors filled buckets with pink salt, which takes years to regenerate, while some vehicles drove directly onto the lake bed. Many believe that only strict restrictions will help preserve Kobeytuz.
Others suggested temporarily closing all access to the lake until the ecosystem recovers, as well as mandating that tourists carry out all their trash.
Background
The situation surrounding Kobeytuz gained significant public attention in the summer of 2020. At that time, the lake with its unusual pink water became one of the most popular tourist destinations for residents of the capital and other regions. Thousands of people visited for photos, walks through the shallows, and to witness the unusual natural phenomenon.
However, popularity brought problems. Visitors left trash behind, lit fires in the water protection zone, and removed salt and mud, which were rumored to have healing properties. Ads for the sale of Kobeytuz salt even appeared on social media. One of the most controversial incidents involved a Toyota Land Cruiser being driven directly into the lake — the driver was later held administratively liable and subsequently issued a public apology to the people of Kazakhstan.
In July 2020, the Ministry of Ecology, Geology, and Natural Resources expressed concern over the situation at Kobeytuz. The department warned of liability for violating environmental legislation, promised to tighten oversight, and pledged to create monitoring groups involving ecologists, volunteers, and the police.
At that time, Environment Minister Magzum Mirzagaliyev first stated the need to grant Kobeytuz specially protected natural area status, noting that barriers and mobile checkpoints alone were insufficient to preserve the unique site.
That same year, authorities closed the lake to visitors, established police posts, and began patrolling the area. Environmentalists warned that barbaric treatment of the reservoir could lead to its degradation, and that restoring the ecosystem after the removal of salt could take years.
In 2021, Kobeytuz returned to the spotlight after social media photos surfaced showing the lake almost completely dried up. At the time, the Ereymentau District Administration explained that this was not an environmental disaster, but a natural life cycle of an endorheic salt lake: in dry years, water evaporates, leaving a salt crust on the surface.
Despite the measures taken, the problem has not completely disappeared. In 2025, police once again stepped up patrols in the area following the emergence of new videos showing tourists removing salt and clay from the shores of Kobeytuz. The Ministry of Ecology also placed the situation under additional oversight, as neither warning signs nor surveillance cameras deterred violators.
About the lake
Kobeytuz is an endorheic salt lake located in the Ulenti rural district of the Ereymentau District in the Akmola Region. It has a surface area of 690 hectares, a maximum depth of up to 1.5 meters, a length of about 3.5 kilometers, and a width of up to 3 kilometers.
The lake has no outflow and is replenished by precipitation and groundwater. Every few years, the water turns pink due to the saltwater algae Dunaliella. According to one theory, the name Kobeytuz is linked to the high concentration of salt in the water, comparable to that of the Dead Sea.