Local Communities Create Nature Reserves in Kyrgyzstan

Author: Alika Karabaeva, CAMP Alatoo.

With the help of CAMP Alatoo the villagers of the Ton district in the Kyrgyz Alatoo mountains established the first public micro-reserve in Kyrgyzstan in 2018, which is run by the local community. Since then, many micro-reserves have been established in the country following this model.

CAMP Alatoo Public Foundation (Kyrgyzstan) is an NGO that works closely with local communities in Kyrgyzstan and in other countries in the region. It was established in 2014 as a successor to the Central Asian Mountain Partnership Programme. It’s goal is to improve land and forest management, including conservation of biodiversity, adaptation to climate change, development of energy-efficient technologies, and promotion of environmental education.

Inhabitants of three mountain villages in Ton district of Issyk kul oblast had become deeply concerned by the decrease in wildlife and by illegal collection of plants in the area around the Baiboosun gorge. CAMP Alatoo supported the villagers in their initiative to create a nature protection zone, the Baiboosun microreserve,  covering about 14 thousand hectares. It received the official status of "public micro-reserve" in 2018 to conserve local biodiversity, ecosystems and the gene pool of pasture vegetation seeds, in addition to preserving the natural beauty of the local landscape. The initiative was implemented as part of the project "Biodiversity Conservation through the Introduction of Effective Integrated Pasture Management Mechanisms" with the financial support of Sigrid Rausing Trust.

Members of the National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan, conducted an expedition to the micro reserve and confirmed the presence of Snow Leopards within the territory as well as 17 other mammal species from the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan, such as Pallas' cat, marten, Turkestan lynx, fox, ibex, marmot and others. The area provides also harbours 60 species of birds (6 species are included in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan and the list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature) and 500 species of plants. On the basis of the data obtained, the conservation experts presented a rationale and recommendations for the establishment of the micro-reserve.  There is a high level of flora and fauna species diversity, that is typical of the central part of the Teskey Ala-Too Range. Given the absence of other protected areas near the territory, "Baiboosun" plays a key role in the protection of local flora and fauna. Scientific expeditions and hiking tours are being organized in the reserve.

The "community-run micro-reserve" model  empowers the local community to  conserve and protect the reserve’s nature.  A ranger service made up of local residents and members of the hunting and fishing community, ensures order and patrols the territory against illegal activities.  Although hunting and fishing is not allowed in the reserve these activities are permitted in the surrounding areas.  Photographic traps, GPS navigators, walkie-talkies, binoculars and field uniforms have been issued to the rangers for the protection of the reserve. Using the equipment provided, members of the association conduct regular raids and various biotechnical activities in Baiboosun.

The community rangers created a public fund, Baiboosun zharatylysh korugu, which participates in the value chain outside the micro-reserve area. This system, which also involves shepherds and guest house owners, provides financial stability to the local community through the production of organic cheese, kurut, sales of buckthorn and barberry wild fruits. Purchasing of materials, packaging of products and sales to local guest houses and tourists is all done by community members and marketed under the Baiboosun brand.

Video of the camera traps are publicly available on the internet at www.ruptly.tv (https://www.ruptly.tv/en/videos/20211123-009-Camera-trap-captures-elusiv...) and www.yandex.ru (https://disk.yandex.ru/i/ble-5wcQJxZ_qA).

There are 3 scraps (a structure that protects from weather conditions and is designed for observing wild animals and birds) on the territory of the protected area. They are intended for hikers interested in wildlife photography and birdwatching.

The Tabiyat kenchi mobile app can be used to monitor and collect data on the biodiversity of Kyrgyzstan, including within the Baiboosun micro-reserve. The application increases the interest of users in the study of local flora and fauna, and its functions allow the ability to record observations of the animal and plant world, while digitally sharing them with scientists and experts in the field of biodiversity conservation.

 

Last updated on 04 April 2022