ASSESSMENT OF THE PROSPECTS OF SPRINGS IN WESTERN KAZAKHSTAN FOR USE IN RELIGIOUS TOURISM

• Main Author: Kazhmurat M. AKHMEDENOV
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Editura Universităţii din Oradea 2020-07-01
• Series: Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites
• Subjects: springs; religious; tourism; sanitary; capture; holy places; ritual; pilgrimage; west kazakhstan
• Online Access: http://gtg.webhost.uoradea.ro/PDF/GTG-3-2020/gtg.31304-527.pdf

This work is devoted to the study of sacred springs in Western Kazakhstan, assessing their current state and prospects for use as objects of religious tourism. From the surveyed 75 springs of the West Kazakhstan region in the period 2012-2017, 20 springs corresponding to these parameters were identified. A field survey of famous Holy springs was conducted and their assessment as objects of recreation and cult worship was carried out. It is shown that on the territory of the region, Holy springs are characterized by a level of recreational and cult ratings from low to very high, with the predominance of a group of sources with a high rating, which indicates their excursion and pilgrimage attractiveness. Their sanitary and technical condition was assessed, the flow rate, pH, and hydrochemical composition of spring waters were determined, and spring passports were compiled. It is established that the sanitary condition is dominated by springs with a good rating. The presence of gazebos on the territories adjacent to the springs, their widespread improvement, make the springs promising objects of religious tourism of excursion, educational and pilgrimage directions.