Nature Reserve - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 9

Endangered Great Bustard Named Tajikistan’s Bird of the Year

The great bustard, also known as the red-breasted bustard, has been named the bird of the year for 2025 in Tajikistan. The decision, announced on December 11, followed a vote by the National Academy of Sciences. The rare bird, locally called dugdogi zebo, is listed in both the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and the Red Book of Tajikistan, signifying its endangered status. Since 2007, Tajikistan has annually designated a bird of the year to raise awareness about avian conservation. Previous honorees include an owl, corncrake, pheasant, paradise flycatcher, Tibetan eagle, peregrine falcon, white stork, and oriole. The common turtle dove has held the title this year. The great bustard resides in Tajikistan as both a breeding and migratory species. Experts estimate that only 23 breeding pairs inhabit the country, though the population temporarily rises to 50-60 individuals during migration periods. Slightly larger than a domestic hen, male great bustards have a body length of 65-75 cm and weigh between 1.8 and 3.2 kg, significantly smaller than the common bustard, which can weigh up to 15 kg. Omnivorous by nature, the bird’s diet includes fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, locusts, beetles, and small reptiles. Known for their cautious behavior, great bustards avoid human contact and prefer to hide or flee when threatened. Their average lifespan in the wild is approximately 20 years. Globally, the International Bustard Conservation Foundation, supported by the UAE government, leads efforts to protect the species. To date, the foundation has bred over 480,000 bustards in captivity and released 285,000 into the wild. In Kazakhstan, the foundation releases great bustards into the wild while simultaneously issuing hunting licenses for $1,280 per bird, catering to Arab hunters. Uzbekistan hosts an Emirati conservation center in the Kyzylkum Desert, dedicated to breeding and protecting the species, as well as releasing them into their natural habitat. Despite these international initiatives, Tajikistan has yet to leverage Arab funding or hunting tourism to support conservation efforts. Utilizing such resources could bolster the great bustard population while generating additional economic benefits.

Environment Nature Wildlife Conservation snow leopard Nature Reserve

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.”

Nature Reserve Tree planting Environment Legislation

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.

Heritage Nature Nature Reserve Environment

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.

Nature Reserve Environmental Awareness Wildlife Conservation

Thousands of Red-listed Birds Released in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan's Karakalpakstan, 2,680 Wigglers (Chlamydotis macqueenii), have been released in the wild. The rare birds, on the verge of extinction and listed in the Red Data Book of Uzbekistan and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, were released on October 11 on the Ustyurt Plain in the Kungrad District. Authorities are now planning the annual release of 2,000 and 3,000 birds to support the population and promote the recovery of one of the rarest bird species in Central Asia. The Wiggler, a member of the bustard family, is so-called on account of the way it darts from side to side. Males grow to a length of 65-75 cm and weigh between 1.8 and 3.2 kg, while females are slightly smaller at 55-65 cm and 1.2-1.7 kg, respectively. Their upper plumage is sand-coloured, and white below, with a distinctive gray crest and elongated white feathers with black tips on the sides. During the mating season, the bird shows off its decorative feathers by raising its collar and making an “hrrrr” sound.

Environment National Parks Wildlife Conservation Nature Reserve

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.