Kartay, could you tell us about your farm? What do you do?
“I have a simple but cherished occupation – a small family farm and household plot. Together with my family, we grow vegetables and melons, and we also have a small orchard with apricots, apples, and grapes... What we grow, we eat ourselves, sell at the market alongside members of the Auyldastar community, and share with our neighbours as well.”

What does gardening mean to you?
“It is both labour and a calling... our climate is no gift: heat, wind, and sometimes drought. But, as our ancestors used to say, if you treat the land with respect, it will respond in kind… I am especially proud that everything in the garden has improved since we installed drip irrigation. Now the water goes directly to the roots, and nothing is wasted. The harvest has become much more stable, and the orchard has truly come alive.”

How did the small grant help you?
“With the support of this grant, many things have changed. I received funding for a drip irrigation system: pipes, drippers, and a pump... Yields have increased by 30–40%, costs are lower, and the soil dries out less. It gave me the confidence to keep developing and to think about expanding.”

Kartay used his small grant to procure a drip irrigation system, and has seen yields from his farm increase by 30-40% © WWF-Central Asia

Karoy is one of the villages closest to the Ile-Balkhash Reserve, where an ambitious programme is reintroducing the tiger to Kazakhstan after 70 years of extinction. Success depends not only on scientists but also on communities like Kartay’s.

What is your attitude toward the tiger reintroduction project?
“At first there was a lot of talk: some people were afraid, others were doubtful. But now, seeing the support… attitudes have changed. I support the project. It is not just about bringing back a long-forgotten rare animal – it is about restoring balance to our nature, about showing the world that Kazakhstan is capable of protecting what it has.”

Do you worry about the tigers threatening people or livestock?
“That is a natural fear, especially for those who keep livestock. But when it was explained to us in detail that the tigers would live in a protected zone, that they would be regularly monitored with satellite collars and kept under strict protection, it became easier to accept. We, the local residents, are also ready to take part in this: to report if we see anything, to assist the rangers, to participate in dialogue during community meetings. The most important thing is to ensure there is communication between local residents and the specialists.”

Can this programme influence the development of Karoy?

“Very much so. We already see growing interest from tourists... If everything is organized properly, ecotourism will emerge, and our village could become a centre of it. We could offer guest houses, excursions, organic produce, and traditional crafts... This could definitely increase the attractiveness of our region.”

What role do you see for villagers like yourself?

“Even now, we are not mere bystanders. We are the tiger’s neighbours. Who else, if not us, will be here by its side? We want to take part in training, in protection, in volunteering; to serve as guides, to accompany tourists, and to contribute our own ideas for development. We want to be part of this project, not just passive recipients of assistance.”

What would you like to wish your fellow villagers?
“Not to be afraid. The world is changing, and we can change along with it. Now we have the chance to do more than just survive. We can develop our farms, apply new technologies, and take part in larger projects. The main thing is not to sit idle. I believe Karoy can become an example of how a village can live side by side with nature – and in harmony with it.”

Why this matters

Kartay’s story shows how environmental programmes are strongest when people and nature thrive together. For him, the tiger is not only a symbol of wild Kazakhstan but also a catalyst for farming innovation, community pride, and new opportunities for Karoy.