ОФ «САМР Алатоо» расширяет сеть партнерства с местными сообществами

CAMP Alatoo PF Expands Partnership Network with Local Communities

CAMP Alatoo PF continues to promote the community-based natural resource management model by supporting local initiatives for biodiversity conservation. This approach engages the local population in active conservation work, including anti-poaching and illegal logging efforts, flora and fauna monitoring, biotechnical interventions, and the implementation of methods for the peaceful coexistence of wildlife and livestock.

Over the past five years, this model has been successfully implemented and is currently operational in the Ton, Jeti-Oguz, and Tyup districts of the Issyk-Kul region, on the basis of the “Baiboosun” protected area of local significance, the “Zhargylchak” sanctuary, and the “Kushtar” wetland area. Working with communities has allowed for the integration of scientific conservation methods with the practical knowledge of the people living in these territories.

In April of this year, the "Ular" Public Association, established by activists from Ak-Terek village in the Jeti-Oguz district, joined CAMP Alatoo’s partner network. The association consists of 25 members—foresters, farmers, and livestock breeders—united by a common goal: protecting nature, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, and developing ecotourism in their home region.

"Most of us spend a lot of time in the mountains and witness violations ranging from poaching to illegal fishing during spawning periods. We have already begun to take action; for instance, our youth built a fish ladder to bypass a sluice gate. However, to move forward, we need the skills to monitor wildlife using camera traps, assess the condition of pastures and forage resources, and preserve migration routes within the ecological corridor. The expertise of CAMP Alatoo PF specialists is both highly valuable and timely for us," notes Aitbek Shoorukov, head of the "Ular" PA.

More than 4,000 people live in Ak-Terek village. The "Ular" activists aim to set an example for their fellow villagers, demonstrating how a responsible attitude toward resources helps preserve the area's potential.

The collaboration with CAMP Alatoo PF began with a practical phase. Members of "Ular," together with colleagues from the "Ala-Too Bugu" ("Zhargylchak" sanctuary) and the “Baiboosun” protected area of local significance, participated in a training session on operating within the "Ak-Ilbirs" ecological corridor. This training was organized under the "Climate Change Adaptation of Mammals in Central Asia" (СAMCA) project, implemented with the support of IKI-UNEP.

During the training, participants (1) studied the objectives and principles of establishing ecological corridors; (2) mastered livestock grazing monitoring tools and the SMART system for data recording during patrols; (3) discussed mechanisms for enforcing land-use regulations; (4) defined areas of responsibility and their specific roles in field monitoring. The development of such initiatives empowers local residents with the necessary tools and knowledge to manage their region's natural resources independently and effectively.