В Иссык-Кульской области стартовал процесс проектирования новой особо охраняемой территории

The process of designing a new specially protected area has commenced in the Issyk-Kul region

The designated area is located in the Tyup district of the Issyk-Kul aiyl aimak. The plan is to establish a wetland microreserve as part of a collaborative nature conservation effort. The agreement for this collaboration was signed on December 18, 2023, by the leaders of the Department of Biodiversity and Protected Areas of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Kyrgyz Republic, the PF "CAMP Alatoo," and the public association "Kushtar" ("Birds"), which is active in the Issyk-Kul region.

The total area of the surveyed territory for the future microreserve is 21.9 km², comprising over 2.6 km² of land and 19 km² of water with depths up to 3 meters.

Each organization has outlined specific functions for the conservation of natural ecosystems and biodiversity within the planned microreserve in the signed document.

The responsibilities of the PF "Kushtar" include conducting nature conservation activities and anti-poaching raids, monitoring and documenting wildlife, raising awareness and educating the public about the importance of nature conservation and local flora and fauna, restoring forest resources, and developing various forms of ecotourism, including birdwatching.

Preliminary research on avifauna, a complex of bird species characteristic of this part of Lake Issyk-Kul, was conducted by members of the "KG" Ornithological Society. According to their data, of the 53 bird species listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan, 9 species were identified in the surveyed territory. Among them is the white-tailed eagle, considered one of the valuable birds of prey. "In this area, it is planned to install several hundred to several thousand artificial nests over a certain period. Nesting birds are an indicator of the conservation status of this zone, giving it natural significance," stated one of the study's authors, Andrey Averin, a researcher at the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The Department of Biodiversity and Protected Areas of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Kyrgyz Republic and the PF "CAMP Alatoo," with experience in creating locally significant protected areas in the Ton and Jeti-Oguz districts, will provide technical and advisory support for the conservation of valuable animal and plant species, nature protection activities, and enhancing the capabilities of the PF "Kushtar."

Specialists from these organizations have already conducted a seminar to improve the professional knowledge and skills of the "Kushtar" staff. During the training, the focus was on environmental legislation, methods to combat poaching, the procedure for imposing fines and holding violators accountable, bird observation rules, and biotechnologies for increasing bird populations. In addition, representatives of "Kushtar" received information from their partners about the system and types of locally significant protected areas, as well as involving local communities in the management and planning of public microreserves.