The Uzunakmat Reserve was created to preserve its original and unique nature.
The Uzunakmat Reserve is located in the northwest of the Ketmentyubinskaya basin (Toktogul district), 75-80 km from the district center. The district center is situated on the shores of the man-made Toktogul reservoir, which supplies energy to the Toktogul hydroelectric power station. These places are the homeland of the great Kyrgyz akyn-democrat – Toktul Satylganov and the famous writer-dramatist Joomart Bokonbaev. In the village of Cholponata, there is a museum dedicated to Toktogul, and in the village of Mazarsoo, there is a museum for Joomart Bokonbaev.
Natural attractions of the Uzunakmat Reserve: the waterfall "Sharkyritma", the mysterious mountain Korgonata, caves, high-altitude lakes, gorges, rich vegetation, and wildlife harmoniously combine with historical and ethnographic monuments.
General Overview. The basin of the Uzunakmat River is a unique region where endemic flora and fauna have been preserved. Due to the increased humidity of the air, the vegetation has some similarities with the vegetation of Mediterranean-type mountains. Nature is uniquely beautiful in its own way. About a thousand plant species contribute to the biological diversity of the Uzunakmat River basin, among which are many useful, valuable, medicinal, honey-bearing, fodder, food, and soil-protecting plants. The uniqueness and diversity of the flora and fauna embody the magical grandeur of the nature of this region, which requires urgent preservation. Snow-white mountain ranges, the full-flowing Uzunakmat River with its tributaries, coniferous-fir, juniper, and floodplain-tugai forests, covered with colorful carpets of subalpine and alpine meadows, numerous wild animals and birds – all this gives the reserve a mesmerizing uniqueness.
In the territory of the reserve, there are individual species of animals that have already disappeared from other habitats: snow leopard, Tien Shan brown bear, Turkestan lynx, saker falcon, bearded vulture, golden eagle, griffon vulture. These rare species of animals are listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan. Wild boars, ibex, foxes, weasels, martens, chukars, and rock partridges can also be found here. The reserve is home to colonies of the relic gopher and long-tailed red marmot.
Rivers and Lakes. The Uzunakmat River originates from the glaciers and snow masses of the Talas Ala-Too and flows into the Toktogul reservoir. In its upper reaches, the river flows through a deep mountain gorge with very steep impassable rocky slopes, sometimes covered with coniferous forests. In the middle reaches, the riverbed runs through a shallow gorge with steep banks. In the lower part, the river flows onto a plain consisting of two terraces. The riverbed is rocky throughout its course.
A major tributary of the Uzunakmat River is the Karakuldja River, which carries its waters through a narrow mountain gorge with difficult slopes and exposed rocks. The right bank slopes of the valley are covered with coniferous forests. The riverbed of the Karakuldja is also rocky, littered with large rock fragments and debris. The main tributaries are Okum, Kamansuu, Torpok, Atoynok, Aksaybashy, Eeralgy, Kol, Akbulak, Kokteskey. In addition, Uzunakmat has several tributaries: Beshtash, Terek, Karakungey, Korokaray, Shanek, Kushchuchsuu, Mazarsoo, Atala, Kokbulak, Tereksay, Belbulak, Sogotsay, Sarybulak, Ustasay, Korumtukoy, Janaryk, Joonterek. The length of the Uzunakmat River is 90 km, the area of the basin is 2210 km², and the average water flow is 29.5 m³/s. The river is fed by snow, springs, and rain. All rivers in the valley are used for irrigation. In the floodplain and above the floodplain part of the Uzunakmat River valley, serozem-meadow soils are found. They are widespread in places where groundwater is close to the surface.
Vegetation. The subalpine meadows, broadleaf and coniferous forests, middle mountain deciduous shrubs, juniper forests, and sparse forests are rich in various natural resources. Unique landscapes of early spring low mountain deserts open up.
Wildlife. The most numerous order of mammals in the reserve is rodents. Almost everywhere there is vegetation, you can find blind moles, field mice, house mice, voles, and forest dormice. In the middle mountains, the relic gopher is often encountered. The carnivorous order includes foxes, wolves, weasels, steppe ferrets, stone martens, and badgers. Rare carnivorous animals include brown bears, snow leopards, lynxes, and manuls, as well as mountain goats and wild boars.
Birds are diverse, with more than half nesting. In the forest, you can find the gray warbler, bunting, oriole, woodpecker, cuckoo, rock pigeon, and harrier. In the high mountains, the chukar (mountain turkey) is found, while in the middle mountains, the common kestrel, buzzard, and kite are common. Among the large birds are the golden eagle, saker falcon, and griffon vulture.