CURRENT STATE AND PROSPECTS FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY FOR PASTURES IN SOUTHERN KAZAKHSTAN THROUGH THE USE OF GROUNDWATER

The watering of pasture lands is a key condition for the sustainable development of livestock farming in the arid and semi-arid zones of southern Kazakhstan. This issue is particularly acute in the southern regions of the country, where there is a shortage of surface water sources and a significant portion of pastures is used extensively due to underdeveloped water supply infrastructure. One of the promising solutions to this problem is the use of groundwater for pasture irrigation and year-round livestock watering. The aim of this study is to assess the current state of water supply for pasture areas in southern Kazakhstan and to identify the potential for the sustainable use of groundwater. The article examines the natural-climatic and hydrogeological conditions of the region, analyzes spatial differences in water resource availability, and presents the results of field research. The study is based on scientific and technical materials from research conducted by the U.M. Akhmedsafin Institute of Hydrogeology and Geoecology in 2024. During field expeditions, route surveys of pasture lands were carried out, covering zones with varying degrees of water availability. Water samples were collected from wells and boreholes, followed by hydrogeochemical analysis under laboratory conditions. The results made it possible to determine the suitability of groundwater for livestock watering, to identify territorial differences in hydrogeological conditions, and to outline directions for improving the pasture watering system.