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Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to Cooperate on Snow Leopard Conservation

As reported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan, a memorandum of understanding on snow leopard conservation was signed on October 17 between Kazakhstan's and Kyrgyzstan's  protected nature reserves. Initiated by UNDP in Kazakhstan with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the five-year agreement aims to conserve the snow leopard and its habitats in the northern Tien Shan Mountains within four of the countries' Specially Protected Nature Areas: the Kolsay Kolderi State National Park, the Almaty State Nature Reserve, the Ile-Alatau State National Park in Kazakhstan, and the Chon Kemin State Nature Park in Kyrgyzstan. The two countries will coordinate joint measures and share experiences in researching and strengthening snow leopard protection. Over the next five years, the parties will also develop and implement several initiatives to monitor the snow leopard, its habitats and food supply, promote transboundary and international cooperation, and increase public awareness and participation through snow leopard conservation programs. Nurken Sharbiyev, Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, citing the fact that the country's snow leopard population has increased by over 20% since 2019, to between 152 and 189 animals, stated, “This memorandum will strengthen the links between our countries to conserve this globally important species." Mirslav Amankulov, Vice Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan, said that Kyrgyzstan currently has over 400 snow leopards but noted: “As it is a migratory species, its habitat is not limited to the territory of the country. To study and preserve the snow leopard and its habitat, prevent the impact of serious threats such as illegal hunting and reduction of food supply and habitats due to human activities, interaction between stakeholders is needed, which will be facilitated by the implementation of measures under the signed memorandum between Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic." The snow leopard is recognized as a rare or endangered species in 12 countries and its population is indicative of the stability and health of the mountain ecosystem, which occupies a third of the globe. At the first International Forum on Snow Leopard Conservation in Bishkek in 2013, with the support of representatives of 12 snow leopard range countries and the international community, the Bishkek Declaration on the Protection of the Snow Leopard was unanimously adopted, and the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Program was approved. Later, in December 2023, Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov signed a Decree “On recognizing the snow leopard as a national symbol of the Kyrgyz Republic.”

Tajikistan to Strengthen Protection of Mulberry Trees

In a move to strengthen its silk industry, Tajikistan's parliament has approved amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences, increasing fines for damaging mulberry trees. Bakhodur Sheralizoda, Chairman of the Environmental Protection Committee, who forwarded initiative, emphasized that the new measures will help protect the environment and restore mulberry plantations, which are vital for silkworms. Under the new rules, individuals damaging mulberry or other crops will face a fine of three to five calculation indexes. In comparison, officials can be fined seven to ten indexes (for 2024, 1 calculation index is 84 somoni, equivalent to $7.50). The final amounts will be approved following the adoption of amendments to the Code. Because the leaves of the trees  are the main food base for mulberry silk worms, their preservation is critical for the restoration of an industry which has suffered a sharp decline over the last 30 years. In 1991, the country produced 4,528 tons of silk cocoons but by 2024, this figure had fallen to 361 tons. According to experts, the reason for the decline is a reduction of mulberry plantations, especially on private land  on which  trees have been felled and sold as firewood. Back in 2021, in an address to parliament , Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, called for special attention to be paid to the development of silk farming, emphasizing its importance in creating jobs, especially for women and girls. To encourage cocoon processing, he also waived land tax for a period of ten years on areas where mulberry trees are grown. Despite such measures, the situation barely improved. In response and to achieve its aim of increasing silk production to 1,867 tons by 2027, the Tajik government has introduced a program to plant over 4.3 million mulberry trees across the country. The total area covered by mulberry trees in Tajikistan is currently about 5,500 hectares. In addition to their economic importance, mulberries play an essential role in environmental conservation. Mulberry trees prevent soil erosion and the spread of dust storms. Also of note, is that rich in vitamins C, K, iron, and potassium, the berries provide an important food source and are widely used in traditional medicines. Additional measures to protect mulberry trees include strengthening local authorities' control over land allocation for new plantations and preventing the felling of existing trees. A comprehensive approach, including economic incentives and administrative measures, is expected to help Tajikistan bring silk production back to its previous level and make it one of the country's leading agricultural sectors.  

Uzbekistan’s Heritage Trees Added to International Monumental Trees List

The Ministry of Ecology of Uzbekistan reports that it has participated in the compilation of data on the country's aged and relict trees for inclusion in the international list of MonumentalTrees.com. MonumentalTrees.com is an electronic record of perennial, rare, and unique tree species of international importance located throughout the world, aimed to protect and promote national natural heritage sites. Species found in Uzbekistan currently listed on MonumentalTrees.com. include: Eastern Biota (1500 years' old) in the Forish district of Jizzakh ; Sycamore ( over 1160 years' old) in the Urgut district of the Samarkand; Juniper ( over 1000 years' old), Hazel ( over 800 years' old) and Sycamore (around 600 years' old) in the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent , as well as Sycamore (some 900 years' old) in the village of Sayrob in the Boysun district of Surkhandarya; Sycamore (over 750 years' old) in the territory of the Dorus-Saodat Memorial Complex in the city of Shakhrisabz  in Kashkadarya , and a Boboyongok Hazel tree (about 700 years' old) in the Zomin national nature park in Jizzakh . Uzbekistan is the first Central Asian country and the third among the CIS republics to register its natural heritage species in this international list. Perennial trees located in Russia and Azerbaijan are also included.

Kazakhstan Reinstates Kulans in Wild Natural Habitats

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources has announced the successful reintroduction of  kulans — Asiatic wild asses — to the country’s Ile-Balkhash and Altyn Dala nature reserves. As a result of overhunting and competition for grazing with other livestock, wild kulans became extinct in Kazakhstan in the 1930s. To restore the species' population, long-term projects were implemented. Between 1953 and 1961, 14 kulans were transported from Turkmenistan to Barsakelmes Island in Kazakhstan and in 1982, when their number reached 200, the animals were transferred to the mainland Altyn-Emel National Park. Today, the country boasts two large herds of kulans in the Barsakelmes Reserve and the Altyn-Emel National Park, with that in the latter, numbering 3,965, representing the largest in Kazakhstan. The steady growth of the kulan population has also made it possible to resettle the animals in other historical habitats. On September 28-30, 43 kulans were transported from the Altyn-Emel National Park to the Ile-Balkhash Reserve in southern Kazakhstan and a further 24 kulans were released into temporary enclosures on the Altyn Dala Reserve in the central Kostanay region. In a move to reintegrate other indigenous species in the region, Kazakhstan has also reintroduced Przewalski's horses and Turan tigers to their historical habitats this year.

Tajikistan Strives to Protect its Natural Environment Against Climate Change

Climate change is having an increasing impact on Tajikistan's flora and fauna and climatologists predict further drying up of regions, jeopardizing the country's biodiversity. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), over 860 species have disappeared worldwide since 1500, and some 17,300 species are currently under threat. To mitigate the effects of climate change in their country, Tajik scientists have urged that measures be taken to preserve rare species of plants and animals. Speaking on the issue, Khikmat Khisoriev, a doctor of biological sciences and an academician at the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, stated that climate has changed cyclically throughout history, with alternating periods of cooling and warming . In recent decades, however, the significant increase in the  rate of warming has a powerful impact on plant life. Rapid changes in environmental conditions do not allow  plants time to adapt, leading to the extinction of vulnerable species such as the anzur onion, the Vavilov almond, and other endemic plants of Tajikistan. The loss of rare species of economic importance is a particular concern. For example, the endemic plant Ferula Tajiki, widely used in medicine, is on the verge of extinction due to intensive harvesting. Such processes lead to a decrease in the country's biodiversity, and ecosystems are becoming less resistant to external changes. Climatic change is also affecting wildlife. According to Abdusattor Saidov, zoologist and corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, changes in humidity in Tajikistan's mountains  can significantly impact the composition of vegetation, and in turn, forage for wildlife. Forced to migrate in search of food,  Tajikistan's populations of species such as the Marco Polo sheep, Siberian ibex, and snow leopard, could potentially diminish. The situation is also aggravated by anthropogenic factors including excessive collection of plants, poaching, and economic activities, which are especially dangerous for species with restricted habitats. Among such species is the Apollo Autocrator butterfly which living in the Pamirs, is unable adapt to change as quickly as other organisms. To combat these challenges, the Government of Tajikistan has developed the “National Program of the Republic of Tajikistan ‘Green Country’ for 2023-2027" to address climate change, restore ecosystems, and develop a green economy. The program aims to plant 65 million trees by the end of 2025, creating protected areas, and introducing modern technologies for sustainable management of natural resources. Biodiversity conservation also includes expanding the network of protected areas. Tajikistan already has reserves and national parks covering 22% of the country's territory, in which 70% of flora and fauna species are preserved. Much more, however, needs to be done to fully compensate for climate change and anthropogenic impact losses. In addition to more effective measures to protect rare species, such as introducing quotas for plant collection and controlling economic activities in habitats, other necessary measures include developing zero-waste technologies, and public education programs to raise awareness of the importance of nature conservation. Experts believe that sustainable development is only possible with the active participation of all sectors...

Kazakhstan Set to Plant Two Billion Trees

The government's press service reported that about 970 million saplings have been planted across Kazakhstan since 2021, and the country plans to plant over a billion more by the end of 2027. Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nysanbayev said this at the October 8 government meeting on measures to expand the area under forests in Kazakhstan. Over the past five years, the area under forests in Kazakhstan has increased by 267,000 hectares. At the meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said: "The head of state has set the task of planting two billion trees, which will increase the forest area in the country to 14.5 million hectares. The expansion of forests and parks and the preservation of biodiversity for future generations are some of the priorities for improving the environmental situation. This is a very complex and long-term work. We need to make every effort to increase the area under forests and preserve the existing forests." The meeting focused on measures to protect forests from fires and illegal logging. Large wildfires in the past years have shown the forestry services' unpreparedness to counteract them. In this regard, the government is working to equip them with firefighting machinery and equipment. This year, 52 billion tenge ($106 million) has been allocated to purchase 1,384 pieces of firefighting equipment. Today, the early detection system of forest fires covers more than 900,000 hectares of forests. Its effectiveness has been proved by the example of the Burabay (Borovoye) National Park, where the average area of forest fires has been reduced 50-fold. According to Nysanbayev, another important issue is planting forests on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea. Over the past 30 years, trees and shrubs have been planted on more than 600,000 hectares of the former Aral Sea bed, including 413,000 hectares over the past four years.