Проект по интегрированному управлению экосистемами Памиро-Алая: результаты 2025 года и планы на будущее

Pamir-Alai Integrated Ecosystem Management Project: 2025 Results and Future Plans

The results achieved in 2025 within the framework of the project “Integrated community-based management of high value mountain ecosystems in southern Kyrgyzstan for multiple benefits” were presented at the meeting of the Coordination and Advisory Council. The initiative has been implemented since 2024 in the Osh, Batken and Naryn regions (Pamir-Alai landscape) with the support of UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). PF СAMР Alatoo is one of the project partners, which is implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic.

According to Umut Zholdosheva, UNDP project coordinator, the five-year initiative aims to introduce integrated biodiversity and ecosystem management, restore degraded lands, and increase the resilience of natural resources and the livelihoods of local communities to climate change across the Pamir-Alai landscape, which covers an area of 3.8 million hectares.

Among the key indicators are: improving the state of biodiversity on approximately 866 thousand hectares, enhancing the management quality and capacity of staff in five State Protected Areas, as well as establishing four new nationally significant Protected Areas with a total area of more than 281 thousand hectares.

“We are working to strengthen sustainable natural resource management across a large area: nearly 622 thousand hectares of high conservation value forests and about 564 thousand hectares of pastures. Other indicators include climate risk assessment for ecosystems of the Pamir-Alai, the launch of a small grants programme for local residents, and the restoration of 500 hectares of degraded forests. It is also essential to raise awareness among government officials and local communities about biodiversity and land degradation issues,” the UNDP representative emphasized.

СAMР Alatoo PF contributes to sustainable forest and pasture management, as well as the development of community-based ecotourism in areas adjacent to key natural territories, taking into account gender aspects.

Discussing progress in the forest management component, Zhyrgalbek Kozhomberdiev from СAMР Alatoo PF highlighted the collection, procurement, and preparation of seeds of arborvitae, juniper, pine, birch, and chestnut for nurseries to be established in the Alay and Leilek forestry enterprises. Sites for nursery development have already been selected, and fencing will be installed.

Almaz Musaev, one of the leaders of the Ministry of Environment of the Kyrgyz Republic and co-chair of the Council, acknowledged the progress and stressed the need to ensure that seeds are of local origin and undergo laboratory testing for viability and productivity before planting.

Regarding pasture management, Maksat Miinazarov, who oversees this component at СAMР Alatoo PF, reported active work on improving an online land management information system that will be introduced in rural municipalities of the project area.

In relation to ecotourism development and community support for Protected Areas, Aliya Ibraimova, project coordinator from СAMР Alatoo PF, spoke about the development of methods for assessing the recreational capacity of Protected Areas and ecological-tourism evaluations of landscapes to support economic justification for establishing new Protected Areas. She also announced the readiness to launch a small grants programme for local residents interested in developing ecotourism as an alternative source of income.

Following discussions, members of the Coordination and Advisory Council supported the recommendations presented by partner organizations. Suggestions focused on improving internal communication among Council members, holding additional online meetings, and preparing written project reports in 2025.