 The park was founded on April 10, 1996, with the objective to preserve a natural park complex, as well as archaeological and historical monuments.It is the largest reserve in Kazakhstan and part of UNESCO's world heritage.It consists of two main parts – the plain that adjoins the right Bank of the Ili river and the mountain – the spurs of the Dzungarian Alatau and the macro-slope of the Altyn Emel range.