Paleontological Heritage of the Uly-Zhilanshik River Basin (Turgai Depression)

The aim of this study is to assess the geoheritage of the Uly-Zhilanshik River Basin in the Turgai Depression (Western Central Kazakhstan) and to evaluate its potential for conservation and sustainable geotourism deve lopment. The basin is a geoheritage area of national and international significance, preserving well-exposed Cenozoic stratigraphic sections that document paleoenvironmental evolution and hosting numerous fossil flora and fauna localities that inform regio nal paleoclimatic and paleoecological reconstructions. These geological and paleontological features constitute a natural archive of Earth history and provide a scientific basis for territorial planning and conservation policy. The research combined field surveys of geological and geomorphological sites with an assessment of geotouristic attractiveness of natural complexes, comparative-geographical and socio-cultural analyses, and a review of environmental protection regulations. A SWOT analysis was additionally applied to identify strengths, constraints, development opportunities, and potential risks associated with tourism growth. The study demonstrates the high scientific, educational, and touristic value of the Cenozoic sections, paleontological localities, and associated landscapes, and identifies prospects for integrating geotourism into nature conservation initiatives and regional management strategies. Key directions for sustainable development are outlined, highlighting geotourism as a practical conservation instrument and a viable alternative to resource-extractive economic models. The results support the need for targeted protection measures, responsible access planning, and the incorporation of the Uly-Zhilanshik Basin into broader geoheritage and geopark frameworks within the Turgai Depression

Cultural heritage · Drainage basin · Geodiversity · Geopark · Geotourism · Natural heritage · Structural basin · Tourism · Geotourism and Geoheritage Conservation · Soil and Environmental Studies · Therapeutic Uses of Natural Elements