University of Guilan Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences 1735-3033 23 4 2025 10 01 Ecological and economic basis for the effective use of forest resources in Kazakhstan (using the example of Semey Orman) 911 917 9208 10.22124/cjes.2025.9208 EN Botakoz Sekey Department of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Kulyash Kaimuldinova Department of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Mira Yelekesheva NJSC Zhangir khan West Kazakhstan Agrarian and Technical University” Uralsk, Almaty, Kazakhstan Arailym Amantayeva Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Asset Tazabekov Satbayev University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Asset Satayev NJSC Zhangir khan West Kazakhstan Agrarian and Technical University” Uralsk, Almaty, Kazakhstan Nazym Altynbay NCJSC "Al-Farabi Kazakh National University" Research Institute of Sustainability of Ecology and Bioresources, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Manira Zhamanbayeva D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan Journal Article 2025 11 21 The study aims to construct an ecological-economic model for sustainable development of the forest resources in the Semirechye region of Kazakhstan. Under a scenario where economic strain and environmental deterioration threaten the very sustenance of these invaluable regions, the present investigation presents a scientific analysis of the scenario and points towards operational solutions to balance conservation and development goals. The satellite imagery interpretation, field studies, and semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders were employed to collect data for the research. The results show that excessive dependence on the revenue from wood (176.7 million tenge a year) together with alarming forest health indicators (35% of pines damaged) and regeneration rates (85 stems/hectare of pines) have made the current model unsustainable. On the other hand, examination of the potential alternatives shows that the production of non-timber forest products (potential income 20.6 million tenge), ecotourism (12.5 million tenge), and ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration (45 million tenge) have the potential to increase the overall annual income of the area to 236.1 million tenge. This transformation in the economy would not only improve the ecological resilience of the forest, but also lay the foundation for a more diversified and resilient economic base. The study concludes that sustainable management in Semey-Orman can be achieved by moving beyond the traditional single-product system towards an integrated and multi-purpose one that ensures smart timber production in addition to the development of conservation-oriented economic capabilities. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9208_e2f08024c5faa8c5d569361d77d3ad90.pdf