PART VI: FLORA AND FAUNA

RAKHMANOV HOT SPRINGS

Pre-reading task:

1. What resorts of our region do you know?

2. What do you know about Rakhmanov Hot Springs?

The Katon-Karagai district of the East Kazakhstan region boasts a variety of beautiful highlands, rich in flora and fauna living in cedar* taiga and mountain meadows. Its stormy rivers swiftly* flow over noisy waterfalls*. This easternmost area of Kazakhstan is noted* for its mineral hot springs and Siberian stag parks.

The famous Rakhmanov Hot Springs Sanatorium is located* on this territory at an altitude of 1700 meters above the sea level in a very picturesque* environment. The Altai-Belukha peak towers 4506 meters high above the famous Katun mountain range. Eternally* snow-covered, its glaciers* feed the region’s rivers.

Local residents have known about the hot springs for a long time. A peasant* Rakhmanov “discovered*” them in 1763 According to a legend, he wounded* a Siberian stag*. Having lost his strength, the animal wandered* into one of the springs and emerged from it safe and sound.

The water in springs resembles that of Belokhurikha and Tskhaltubo spa resorts*. In fact, the underground waters of these area contain reputedly* health-giving radon, a product of disintegration* of very rare, radioactive mineral elements in granite. The thermal waters are used to heal spine* and joint diseases*, nerve system and skin. Many people claim the joy of recovery.

The first health resort area, established* in 1884, was called Arasan by local residents. The Rakhmanov Sanatorium has been operating there since 1963. The dark-emerald* green Arasan Lake dozes* mysteriously in a narrow hollow* in the mountains – lifeless, fishless. The Arasanka River carries its dark heavy water in crashing, waterfall cascades into the deep Bereli canyon.

Aromas of taiga and mountain meadows fill the health-giving fresh air. The taiga abound in cedar, larch*, and fir trees*. The shrubbery* includes blackberries*, red bilberries* and the Altai honey-suckle* or barberry* bush. Its oblong*, bluish berries lower blood pressure. The forest is rich in mushrooms.

The varied fauna of this wilderness* includes the sable*, the badger*, the wolverine*, the wolf, the fox, the bear, the leopard, the lynx*, the Siberian stag, the roe*, the squirrel, the hare, the marmot*, and the suslik.

The legend records that when Rakhmanov swam in the springs, his fatigue* evaporated*. Since then, these health-giving springs have had his name.

Date: 2015-01-12; view: 851