A rare flower listed in Kazakhstan's Red Data Book has been discovered for the first time in the Peretaska channel near the village of Taskala, close to Atyrau. Previously, lotus flowers were only observed in the Kurmangazy district, reports Atameken Business.
Local residents were the first to notice the plants. Specialists from the Akzhaiyk State Nature Reserve visited the site and conducted a study. Currently, the lotus flowers are growing on a small patch. How the plants ended up in this area remains unknown: whether seeds were carried by the Ural River current or planted intentionally by humans is a question that needs further study. The territory will be monitored for several years.
"In general, seeds are spread by water. This is one of the beautiful and rare flowers listed in the Red Data Book. Currently, the most famous lotus site is in the village of Ganyushkino. That area is now a tourist attraction. In the future, if possible, Taskala could also become a tourist destination," said Samal Bagytzhanova, a specialist from the Akzhaiyk State Nature Reserve.