В Алайском и Лейлекском лесхозах создаются новые лесные питомники

New Forest Nurseries Established in the Alai and Leilek Forestry Enterprises

As previously reported, the САМР Alatoo PF is supporting the establishment of forest nurseries in southern Kyrgyzstan. The forestry component of the project “Integrated community-based management of high value mountain ecosystems in southern Kyrgyzstan for multiple benefits”, implemented with the support of GEF and UNDP, aims to restore forest cover in the Alai Forestry Enterprise (Osh region) and the Leilek Forestry Enterprise (Batken region). Each nursery covers an area of 5 hectares.

In mid-January 2026, project specialists conducted on-site monitoring to assess the progress of implementation. Despite challenging weather conditions in mountainous areas, work in the forestry enterprises is proceeding at full scale. Key stages have already been completed: land plots have been prepared and fenced, and a combined drip and surface (aryk-based) irrigation system has been installed, using pumping stations, wells, as well as tanks and barrels for water storage. The automated irrigation system ensures uniform surface watering of seedlings and enables efficient use of water resources, which is particularly important for the southern regions of the country. Special attention has been given to the irrigation system, as sustainable tree cultivation in mountain climates is not possible without reliable water supply.

Project specialists have provided the forestry enterprises with planting material, including seeds and seedlings of coniferous and deciduous species. Part of the material was procured, while the rest was collected by students and faculty of the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University named after K. Skryabin. The species being cultivated include pine, thuja, juniper, birch, as well as shrubs such as Altai sea buckthorn. All plant species are adapted to local natural and climatic conditions and have high ecological value.

The new nurseries are expected to establish systematic production of high-quality planting material, which will serve as a foundation for the restoration and expansion of forest areas in southern Kyrgyzstan in the long term.