UNESCO World Heritage List - The Times Of Central Asia

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World Nomad Games

Horses, Eagles, and Fire: The Steppe Awakens as the 2026 World Nomad Games Return to Kyrgyzstan

On the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, where mountains drop sharply into the water, and horses and cars are found in almost equal measure, Kyrgyzstan will host the World Nomad Games 2026 from August 31 to September 6, with The Times of Central Asia reporting from the ground. Since their launch in 2014, the Games have grown well beyond their origins, drawing competitors and audiences from across the world. This year’s emblem, the snow leopard, captures that idea with unusual precision. It has been adopted as the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan in recent years and has long been central to the country’s conservation diplomacy, including its role in establishing October 23 as International Snow Leopard Day. Presented as a representation of strength, clarity, and endurance, it reflects both the terrain and the mindset that fortifies the event. [caption id="attachment_46882" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: International Secretariat of the World Nomad Games[/caption] The Games have expanded beyond the region, but are now returning home again. Kyrgyzstan hosted the first three editions before they went to Turkey in 2022 and Kazakhstan in 2024. Their homecoming now carries greater international weight, reinforced by UNESCO’s support, recognizing their role in preserving intangible cultural heritage. This year’s experience is mostly set in the Issyk-Kul region, around three hours from Bishkek, where the mountainous landscape will form the backdrop to the lakeside venues. The opening and closing ceremonies are scheduled to take place in the capital’s Bishkek Arena. In Cholpon Ata, the hippodrome will host horse racing and Kok Boru, while the nearby sports complex stages wrestling competitions. The Rukh Ordo Cultural Center brings together strength events and traditional tournaments alongside parts of the cultural program. In Kyrchyn, the Ethno Village will become the core of the experience, where archery, falconry, crafts, performances, and food sit within a setting that reflects nomadic life. [caption id="attachment_46886" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Kok Boru at the Bishkek Hippodrome, 2014; image: Stephen M. Bland[/caption] Forty-plus sports disciplines will be spread across competitive and demonstrative formats, with more than 100 medals at stake. Kok Boru is fast and unforgiving, played on horseback as riders grapple over what was traditionally a headless goat carcass (now a synthetic dummy or serke), surging and colliding before hurling it into the opponent’s goal. [caption id="attachment_46885" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: International Secretariat of the World Nomad Games[/caption] Horseback archery demands precision under movement, with riders standing in the stirrups or twisting at full gallop to fire arrows at distant targets. Eagle hunting illustrates a partnership between human and bird refined over generations, as trained golden eagles launch from the arm to track and strike prey across open ground. [caption id="attachment_46887" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Woman with a bird of prey, World Nomad Games, Astana, 2024; image: Stephen M. Bland[/caption] Wrestling styles such as Alysh and Kurash emphasize balance and control rather than brute force, with fighters gripping belts and using timing, leverage, and footwork to unbalance their opponent. The Times of Central Asia spoke with the International Secretariat of the World Nomad Games to...

UNESCO World Heritage List

Two Architectural Monuments from Kazakhstan Included in UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List

Two landmark architectural monuments in Kazakhstan, the Zharkent Mosque and the Ascension Cathedral, have been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. The announcement was made by State Counselor of Kazakhstan Erlan Karin. Inclusion on the Tentative List is a mandatory preliminary step before a site can be formally nominated for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Only properties included in the Tentative List may proceed to the full nomination process. The Zharkent Mosque is located in the city of Zharkent in the Zhetysu region. Built in 1895 to the designs of Chinese architect Hong Pique, the structure was constructed without the use of nails. It represents a distinctive synthesis of Islamic architectural principles and East Asian design traditions, including elements commonly associated with Buddhist temples. This architectural fusion reflects the historical cultural exchanges among the peoples of the region and the cross-border influence of architectural schools. Since 1982, the mosque has been under state protection as a monument of architectural and historical significance at the national level. The Ascension Cathedral, situated in Almaty’s Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, was constructed between 1904 and 1907 as the cathedral of the Turkestan diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. Rising to a height of 54 meters, it is considered one of the tallest wooden Orthodox churches in the world. Built from Tien Shan spruce, the cathedral’s wooden framework, reinforced with metal fastenings, allowed it to withstand several major earthquakes. Today, it is listed as a historical and cultural monument of Kazakhstan. According to Karin, the inclusion of both the mosque and the cathedral on the Tentative List marks an important step toward preserving and promoting the country’s cultural heritage. If the nomination process is successfully completed, the sites could obtain full World Heritage status, granting them enhanced international recognition and protection, as well as potentially increasing tourism. The joint nomination of Islamic and Orthodox religious monuments also underscores Kazakhstan’s cultural and religious diversity and reflects the historical coexistence of different faith traditions in the region. Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported that an updated UN Action Plan for the Protection of Religious Sites Worldwide was presented in Astana during the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

Nature Reserve

What Is Happening to Tajikistan’s Main Nature Reserve?

International experts have warned of a potential water crisis in the Tigrovaya Balka nature reserve, while Tajik authorities maintain that the situation remains stable and that systematic measures are underway to preserve the ecosystem. At the center of the debate are the water regime of the Vakhsh River, the condition of the tugai forests, and growing anthropogenic pressure. In November 2025, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) published an assessment describing the state of the reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as “alarming.” Experts link the primary risks to changes in the river’s hydrological regime. Regulation of the Vakhsh River through reservoirs and the redistribution of water for agricultural use have significantly reduced natural seasonal flooding, which historically sustained the tugai forests. According to the IUCN, the ecosystem has become increasingly dependent on surface and drainage groundwater, volumes of which may be insufficient to maintain ecological balance. The report also notes that approximately one-third of the Vakhsh River’s flow is diverted for irrigation, while part of the remaining water contains wastewater with elevated concentrations of chemical substances. Authorities Assert the Situation Is Stable Tajikistan’s Environmental Protection Committee disputes the severity of the assessment. According to data from the country’s Hydrometeorological Agency, the average annual flow of the Vakhsh River in 2025 reached 468 cubic meters per second, equivalent to 89% of the long-term average. Officials state that such fluctuations fall within acceptable limits. Water quality monitoring, conducted across 47 chemical indicators, reportedly showed only slight exceedances in sulphates and nitrites. Authorities report no recorded cases of water shortages, mass fish die-offs, or the complete drying of lakes within the reserve. Committee representatives argue that the international evaluation relies heavily on data from 2017-2019 and does not sufficiently account for more recent developments. Infrastructure and Anthropogenic Pressure Scientists also point to historical infrastructure problems as a contributing factor. Particular concern surrounds a 13-kilometer bypass canal along the northern border of the reserve, which was reportedly not cleaned for nearly three decades following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. As a result, silt accumulation led to rising water levels in certain lakes, flooding tugai forests and rendering parts of the territory unsuitable for species such as the Bukhara deer and pheasants. Some areas reportedly became marshy and overgrown with reeds. Additional pressure stems from the expansion of settlements along the reserve’s northern boundary. Monitoring data indicate household waste contamination along 13.2 kilometers of shoreline. Ecological Significance The Tigrovaya Balka Reserve was established on November 4, 1938, becoming Tajikistan’s first state nature reserve. It covers 49,700 hectares, including 21,400 hectares of wetlands and more than 24,000 hectares of tugai forest. The reserve is home to more than 30 rare animal species, including the Bukhara deer, gazelle, striped hyena, Central Asian monitor lizard, and Amu Darya shovelnose sturgeon. Over 50 bird species winter in the reserve annually. In 2023, the site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the “Tugai Forests of Tigrovaya Balka” property.

Cultural Heritage

Kobyz Musical Instrument and Karakalpak Yurt Added to UNESCO Heritage List

At the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in New Delhi from December 8-13, Uzbekistan’s nominations for the kobyz musical instrument and the Karakalpak yurt were officially approved for inclusion in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. As part of the application process, researchers documented the historical and cultural significance of the zhyrau (oral storytellers), whose performances are traditionally accompanied by the kobyz. A documentary film was also produced in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan, highlighting the craftsmanship involved in making the kobyz. The nomination emphasized the urgent need for preservation, citing a steady decline in the number of artisans who know the tradition. The kobyz is an ancient, bowed string instrument originating among Turkic peoples, with historical roots dating back to the 5th-8th centuries. Its haunting sound traditionally accompanies zhyrau performances and remains prevalent in both Karakalpakstan and Kazakhstan.

Nature

Tajikistan’s Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve Under Threat

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has raised serious concerns about the condition of Tajikistan’s Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The IUCN has classified the state of this rare ecosystem as “alarming,” citing deteriorating hydrological conditions and mounting risks to regional biodiversity. Located at the confluence of the Vakhsh and Panj rivers in southern Tajikistan, Tigrovaya Balka is home to Central Asia’s only remaining natural Tugai forest, a unique riparian ecosystem that depends on periodic flooding for its survival. The IUCN’s World Heritage Outlook uses four categories to assess sites: “good,” “good with some concerns,” “alarming,” and “critical.” In its latest report, the organization identifies water regulation on the Vakhsh River as the primary threat to the reserve. The construction of reservoirs and increased water extraction for agriculture have disrupted the seasonal floods that historically sustained the forest. Prior to the 1960s, before large-scale hydropower development began, spring floods replenished groundwater, restored ecosystems, and prevented soil erosion. Today, experts say, the Tugai forest relies almost entirely on surface runoff and drainage water, insufficient to maintain its ecological balance. The IUCN report notes that approximately one-third of the Vakhsh River’s flow is diverted for irrigation, while about 20% of the remaining water consists of chemically polluted wastewater. This contamination is degrading water quality across the reserve and contributing to the decline of rare aquatic species. “Pollution damages the aquatic ecosystem, and many species cannot withstand environmental changes,” the report states. The IUCN emphasizes that much of the available data is observational and requires further scientific validation. It recommends a comprehensive hydrological study that considers the effects of climate change to more accurately assess the threats facing the reserve and to develop effective conservation measures. Established on November 4, 1938, the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve spans 49,700 hectares across the Dusti, Jaihun, and Kubodyon districts in the Khatlon region. Renowned for its natural beauty, it remains one of the Vakhsh Valley’s key ecological and tourist sites. The name “Tigrovaya Balka” (Russian for “Tiger Valley” or Beshaï Palangon in Tajik) commemorates the now-extinct Turanian tiger, which once roamed these lands. The last confirmed sighting of the species in the area dates back to the 1950s.

UNESCO World Heritage List

Timur’s Birthplace Languishes on UNESCO List of Endangered Sites

Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva. Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage draws visitors from around the world, but the troubled modern history of another ancient site, Shakhrisabz, is a reminder that development and mass tourism sometimes overshadow preservation. Shakhrisabz, or Green City, is less known than some other tourist destinations in Uzbekistan that were part of the Silk Road network linking cultures across Asia, Europe, and Africa many centuries ago. Yet the old urban core is more than 2,000 years old and contains spectacular monuments and other structures, some dating from the heyday of the city during the rule of the Turco-Mongol conqueror Timur, also known as Tamerlane, and the Timurids in medieval times. [caption id="attachment_34196" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Timur Statue; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] UNESCO declared it a world heritage site in 2000. But the historical center of Shakhrisabz, previously called Kesh, was placed on the U.N. cultural agency´s list of world heritage sites in danger in 2016 after large sections were razed to make way for a park and tourist facilities. It has stayed on the danger list ever since as officials in Uzbekistan, assisted by international advisers, try to figure out a way to prevent it from losing its United Nations status altogether. A total of 53 locations around the world are on UNESCO’s danger list. [caption id="attachment_34197" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] The Fayzullah Ravnakhi Museum B&B, one of many buildings demolished to make way for tourist facilities; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] A solution in Uzbekistan’s case appears to be in the works. At a meeting in Paris this month, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee tentatively approved an Uzbek proposal that would restore Shakhrisabz in southern Uzbekistan to the regular heritage list but in reduced form – only four key Timurid monuments would be included, while the rest of the historical center would be labeled as a buffer zone. “The main focus is expected to shift from the concept of a ´complete historic city´ to the conservation of the ensemble of monuments, including the Ak-Saray Palace, while preserving their urban context,” reported Gazeta.uz, a media organization in Uzbekistan. [caption id="attachment_34198" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Ak-Saray Palace; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] Uzbekistan must conduct archaeological studies, prepare a restoration plan, and take other measures in order for the proposal to succeed, according to Gazeta.uz. Uzbekistan must update UNESCO on its progress in February 2026, and the process could still take several years. Construction of the Ak-Saray Palace began in 1380 after a military victory by Timur, who was born in the city, according to UNESCO. The agency said that not one of the many Timurid monuments in Samarkand, north of Shakhrisabz, can rival the Ak-Saray Palace. “The foundations of its immense gate have been preserved: this architectural masterpiece is outstanding in its dimensions and bold design,” UNESCO said. While Shakhrisabz has less tourist infrastructure than nearby Samarkand, there are efforts to raise its profile. Last year, the Economic Cooperation Organization, whose ten members include Central Asian countries, declared it the tourism capital for 2024. Uzbekistan’s other cultural sites have also faced...