Protected Natural Areas of Kyrgyzstan

Categories of Protected Natural Areas in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has established 83 special reserves, covering a total area of 761,300 hectares, which accounts for almost 4.45% of the country's territory.

- 10 state reserves (288,000 ha);
- 10 state natural national parks (276,000 ha);
- 10 forest, 23 botanical, 18 geological, 2 complex, and 14 hunting (zoological) reserves with a total area of 325,000 ha.

According to classification, protected natural areas fall into 4 categories:

Category I - State Reserves, completely free from human economic activity. Fishing, hunting, and collection of all types of plants are prohibited.

Besh-Aral State Reserve. Located in the southwestern part of the Chatkal Valley in the Chatkal District of Jalal-Abad Region, on the northwestern slope of the Chatkal Mountains. This area is home to many species of animals and plants. To protect the unique natural wealth of Besh-Aral, the Besh-Aral State Reserve was established in 1979, but economic activities continued there. It was reorganized on August 1, 1994. Area: 112,018 ha. The reserve stretches from an altitude of 1,000 m to 4,000 m above sea level. The terrain is complex, hilly, and rocky. The deeply incised mountain ranges characterized by steep slopes are cut by canyons. The main rivers are Chatkal and its left tributary Ters.

Issyk-Kul State Reserve. Established in 1948 to preserve the wetland and ornithological complexes of Lake Issyk-Kul. The reserve consists of 12 separate sections with a total area of 19,661 ha. It occupies isolated areas within 2 km of the coastline and the water area of the lake. The task is to protect waterfowl (swan, red-throated diver, mallard, coot, gray goose, etc.), coastal fauna and flora, as well as fishery control.

Karatala-Japyrik State Reserve. Established in 1994. Covers an area of 14,000 hectares. Located in the Naryn and Ak-Tal districts of Naryn Region, south of Lake Son-Kul, in the southeastern part of the Korgoo Range, in the basins of the Kara-Tal and Japyrik rivers (which are right tributaries of the Kazyryty river), 16 kilometers south of Lake Son-Kul.

The reserve consists of two small protected areas: 1) Karatala-Japyrik, where floodplain spruce forests, alpine meadows, and other ecosystems typical of the Inner Tien Shan are protected; 2) Son-Kul, which is a nesting site for the mountain goose - a species listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan. Lake Son-Kul is the largest freshwater natural body of water in the republic. The lake is located in the middle of a powerful migration route connecting the nesting grounds of birds from Western Siberia, Altai, and northeastern Kazakhstan with wintering grounds in China, India, Pakistan, and Africa.

Kulunatin State Reserve. Established in 2004 with a total area of 27,434.2 ha, in the Kara-Kulja district of Osh Region. The reserve features the enchanting high-altitude lake Kulun. The landscape of the reserve is mountainous and quite diverse. There are about 600 species of useful wild flora here.

Naryn State Reserve. Area - 37,000 ha. Established in 1983 to protect coniferous forests and alpine meadows. The main objects of protection are the Schrenk spruce and the maral. The territory of the reserve is the only place in the republic where the population of the Semirechensk noble deer (Tian Shan subspecies) is protected. In the "Iyri-Suu" area, a nursery was built in 1986 for the rehabilitation and increase of the population of this species. The reserve has a Nature Museum, which serves as a base for conducting ecological and educational activities.

Located in the eastern part of Naryn Region, in the upper reaches of the Naryn River. It begins at the confluence of the Chon-Naryn and Kichi-Naryn rivers, 11 km east, occupying the northern slope of the Naryn-Toos mountain range.

Padysha-Ata State Reserve. Established in 2003. Located in the Aksy district of Jalal-Abad Region, in the Western Tien Shan region, in the basin of the Padysha-Ata River. The area of the reserve is 30,560 ha.

The reserve was created to preserve natural juniper forests and the endemic of the republic - the Semenov fir, as well as biodiversity in general. The territory of the reserve contains a shrine - the mausoleum "Padysha-Ata."

Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve. Jalal-Abad Region. Area - 23,868 hectares. The Sary-Chelek Reserve is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is located on the southern slopes of the Chatkal Range (northwestern part of Jalal-Abad Region) in the Arkyt gorge, a small mountain basin about 550 km from Bishkek. Part of the reserve's territory (23.9 thousand ha) is bordered to the north by the mountain ranges of the Chatkal Range with several peaks reaching heights of over 4,000 m above sea level. Established in 1959. Since 1978, it has been a biosphere reserve. The task is to protect, study, and restore the walnut-fruit complex and fauna. The unique natural complex of the reserve is protected from the mountain ridge to the mid-altitude mountain steppes.

The jewel of the reserve is Lake Sary-Chelek, which is 7.5 km long, has an average width of 650 m, and a depth of 234 meters. Since 1979, by the decision of UNESCO, the reserve has been included in the international network of biosphere reserves.

Sarychat-Ertash State Reserve. Established in 1995. Area 72,080 ha. Located in the upper reaches of the Uch-Kel River on the Sarychat-Ertash ridges, in the territory of the Jeti-Oguz district of Issyk-Kul Region. The main task of the reserve is to protect the ecosystems of high-altitude plateaus and ridges of the Inner Tien Shan.

The reserve is one of the main habitats of the snow leopard, Pallas's cat, Tian Shan subspecies of the argali, ibex, stone marten, marmots, and hares.

Surmatash State Reserve. Established in 2009 to ensure the preservation of unique natural complexes and biological diversity, and to protect rare and endangered species of animal and plant life. Located in the Kadamjai district of Batken Region. The total area of the territory is 66,194 ha.

Biosphere Territory "Issyk-Kul." In September 2001, the Biosphere Territory "Issyk-Kul" received official recognition from UNESCO and was included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. One of the main goals of the biosphere reserve is the ecological and economic development of the region, as well as the preservation of biodiversity.

In the north, there are petroglyphs representing significant cultural and historical value, and remnants of Buddhist culture.

Category II – State National Natural Parks.

They are tasked with: preserving landscapes, water bodies, flora and fauna, historical and cultural monuments, and creating conditions for tourism and recreation.

Ala-Archa. Ala-Archa Park (ala - "variegated, speckled, striped," archa - "juniper") was established in 1976 to protect the unique landscapes of the Ala-Archa Gorge, preserve nature, and create conditions for the recreation of workers.

The national park stretches along the gorge for 15 km with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,240 meters. The area of the park is 19,400 ha. The distance from Bishkek is 40 km along an asphalt road.

In the park, you can find a small nature museum.

Besh-Tash. Located in the Talas Valley, in the central part of the northern slope of the Talas Ala-Too. The park extends for 30 kilometers upstream along the Besh-Tash River. Established in 1996 to preserve unique natural complexes and biological diversity in Northwestern Kyrgyzstan. There are also sites associated with the name of Manas. Area 32,411 hectares.

Kara-Shoro. Established in 1966. Occupies the southwestern slope of the Fergana Range, where there are mineral water springs and well-preserved forests, meadow plants. Area 8,450 hectares. The territory is mainly occupied by pastures.

Karakol. Located in the eastern part of the Issyk-Kul basin on the northern slope of the Teskey Ala-Too.

Established in 1997 to preserve the unique natural complexes of the Karakol Gorge. The main tasks are to protect plants and animals in the park that are characteristic of Northeastern Kyrgyzstan, as well as to organize recreation for the population and foreign tourists.

The landscape of the Karakol Gorge is very picturesque, especially attractive are the mountain lake Ala-Kul and the peak.

Karakol. The national park has developed hiking and horseback routes. The park has facilities for receiving tourists, and a cable car operates. Area 38,256 hectares, including 4,767 hectares of forests.

Kyrgyz-Ata. Established in 1992. Occupies the high-altitude and mid-mountain part of the northern slope of the Alai Range, where well-preserved unique juniper forest masses are widespread. The main tasks are: to protect plants and animals in the park that are characteristic of the Pamir-Alai mountain system and to organize recreation for the population of the Fergana Valley. Area 1,172 hectares.

Kyrchyn. Established in August 2004, located in the Issyk-Kul district of Issyk-Kul Region.

The total area of the national natural park is 35,000 ha.

Saymaluu-Tash. Established in 2001 in the Toguz-Torouz district of the eastern part of Jalalabad Region, along the Kuraart River. Area 32,000 ha. Objects of protection include unique natural complexes of the Kugart area and numerous petroglyphs (rock drawings from the Bronze Age) that have significant cultural and historical value.

Salkyn-Tor. Established in 2001 in Naryn Region. Covers 10,448 hectares. The territory of the natural park is of great importance for the restoration of the maral population.

Sarkent. Located in the Laylak district of Batken Region. Area - 40,000 ha.

Chon-Kemin. Located in the southwestern part of the Chon-Kemin Valley. The total area of the park is 123,000 ha.

Established in 1997 to preserve natural complexes, forests, and objects of animal and plant life that have special ecological and aesthetic value. It includes almost all forest areas of the Kemin district. The park contains the mausoleum of Shabdan batyr.

Category III - Natural Monuments or Geological Reserves

1. Alamyshek Cave. Near the city of Naryn.
2. Azhidar-Unkur Cave. Osh Region, Nookat District. Depth up to 150m.
3. Chyl-Ustun and Chyl-Mayram Caves. Osh Region, Aravan District. Sites with ancient writings.
4. Large Barite Cave. Osh Region, Nookat District. A site with a unique pattern of barite deposits. Depth 60m.
5. Jiydeli Cave. Batken Region, Kadamjai District. A unique natural object with a wide variety of crystalline formations. Total length 180m.
6. Sogon-Tash Cave. A cave in limestone with whimsical stalactites and stalagmites.
7. Abshir-Ata Waterfall. Osh Region, Nookat District. A picturesque waterfall in Paleozoic limestone.
8. Barskaun Waterfall. Issyk-Kul Region, Jeti-Oguz District. A picturesque waterfall in spruce forests.
9. Issyk-Ata Waterfall. Chui Region, Issyk-Ata District. A cascade of three waterfalls with a height of 12 m.
10. Koguchken Sugat Waterfall. Chui Region, Alamedin District. A waterfall about 35 m high.
11. Tegerek Waterfall. A waterfall up to 20 m high.
12. Dangi Canyon. Osh Region, Nookat District. A site with an original relief shape.
13. Kok-Dzherty Canyon. Naryn Region, Tian Shan District. Picturesque sections along the Son-Kul and Kazyryty gorges.
14. At-Bashi Canyon. Naryn Region, At-Bashinsky District. Original relief forms on red-colored peneplains.
15. Jeti-Oguz Rocks. A unique geomorphological formation - rocks made of red conglomerate.
16. Kara-Jigach Rocks. Jalal-Abad Region, Aksy District. A rare geomorphological formation - pillars of red sandstone.
17. Suleiman Mountain. Near the city of Osh. A geomorphological formation with ancient historical monuments.
18. Kan-i-Gut Mine. Batken Region, Batken District. An ancient silver-lead mine.

Category IV - Reserves created to protect individual components of natural complexes.

Some of the reserves:
Teploklyuchen State Reserve (1958), occupies an area of 29,000 ha in the basin of the Arashan River. Created to protect the habitats of the snow leopard, Turkestan lynx, white-clawed bear, and nesting sites of the golden eagle, bearded vulture, kumai, and steppe eagle.

Jeti-Oguz State Reserve was established in 1958 in the basin of the same river over an area of 30,000 ha. It was created to protect picturesque natural complexes near the famous resort. Here, the snow leopard, white-clawed bear, and birds of prey listed in the Red Book of the republic are under protection.

Tup State Hunting Reserve was organized in the upper reaches of the Tup and Karkara rivers in 1975. Snow leopards and lynxes are protected in its territory. Maral and mountain rams are also found here, and the steppe eagle and rare birds of prey nest.

In the botanical Baydamtal Reserve, plant communities of the desert landscape of Western Pre-Issyk-Kul, including Siberian saltwort and shobera, are under protection.

In the Tup Botanical Reserve, located in the basin of the same river, a section of creeping Kazakh juniper (Juniperus sabina) is under protection.

In the Malaya Ak-Suu Reserve, the object of protection is the spruce forests in the basin of the same river.

Natural-Ecological Complexes of Kyrgyzstan