Environmental consequences of Khrushchev’s Virgin Land Campaign in Kazakhstan (1950s–1960s)

This paper discusses issues related to environmental problems that arose as a result of the virgin and fallow lands development in Kazakhstan second half twentieth century. The authors emphasize level agricultural production post-war years failed meet needs Soviet citizens. Under these conditions, massive plowing land had solve whole range tasks, first all, problem food hunger by means huge increase area for sowing grain crops. According authors, solid tracts plowed soil, having dark color, became very hot, provoking drought, which, with chronic manifestation, caused aridization entire steppe zone, causing significant drying up rivers lakes. believe large works on have made serious changes nature region. Stocks valuable hunting game species animals were undermined, some places completely destroyed. Taking advantage lack control, new settlers along local residents, mercilessly consumed gifts environment, which gave rise poaching. methodological basis study was complex use various approaches, methods assessments used interdisciplinary research.