3600 молодых деревьев и кустарников высажено в Иссык-Кульской области

3,600 Young Trees and Shrubs Planted in the Issyk-Kul Region

Two large-scale environmental campaigns recently took place in the Ton and Tyup districts of the Issyk-Kul region. Supported by the CAMP Alatoo PF and in collaboration with local communities, coniferous tree species and berry shrubs were planted across these areas.

The Jalgyz-Karagai gorge is located in the Ton district. Translated from Kyrgyz, its name means "The Lonely Pine." According to local residents, the area has always lived up to its name: due to arid soil, high winds, and water scarcity, mainly grasses and small shrubs grew here. Under such harsh conditions, only a few individual trees managed to survive.

However, a short time ago, the legend of the gorge began to change. More than 100 people—including residents of Dzheruy village, leaders of the Ton district, forestry officials, experts from CAMP Alatoo PF and activists from the "Baiboosun"- protected area of local significance—joined forces to collectively grow a forest in this area.

At the Оrt site, 2,100 pine and spruce seedlings were planted. This is more than just a "green landing" operation; it is a vital contribution to high-altitude ecology. As regional climate conditions shift, the soil has become more suitable for coniferous forests. Furthermore, according to experts, pines and spruces help retain moisture in the ground and protect slopes from erosion and landslides with their powerful root systems.

Murat Zhumashev, Director of CAMP Alatoo PF, noted that approximately 800 seedlings were already planted here last year: "This was done as an experiment to determine the survival rate of these species under these specific conditions." The positive results of that trial paved the way for today's large-scale efforts.

The event was held as part of the project "Involviement Local Communities for Sustainable Protected Area Managment and Planning," implemented by CAMP Alatoo PF with the support of the Sigrid Rausing Trust.

While spruces were being planted in the mountains of Ton, work was in full swing on the coastline of the Tyup district. In the village of Yntymak, on the territory of the "Kushtar" (Birds) micro-reserve, 1,500 sea buckthorn saplings were planted. Local schoolchildren, villagers, and volunteers from Karakol joined the campaign.

Sea buckthorn was chosen for several strategic reasons. First, it serves as an excellent food source for birds and acts as a reliable "fortress"—its dense, thorny thickets protect nests from predators. Second, sea buckthorn strengthens the shoreline and enriches the soil with nitrogen, making it more fertile.

This campaign was part of the project "Biodiversity Conservation of the Tyup Gulf and Development of Birdwatching," implemented by the "Birds" NGO with support from the UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP).

Thanks to such initiatives supported by PF "CAMP Alatoo," two more "green spots" have appeared on the map of Issyk-Kul.