“Kulun-Ata” translates from Kyrgyz as “foal of the father.”
The Kulunatin State Reserve was established based on the Resolution of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic dated August 11, 2004, No. 598, on the lands of the state forest fund of the Karakulzhinsky forestry (10,453 ha) and the state land reserve of the Karakulja district (17,327 ha) in the Osh region, covering an area of 27,780 ha. Of the total area of the reserve (27,434.2 ha), forest lands occupy 3,483.5 ha (12.7%), while forested areas cover 2,742.4 ha (10% of the total area of the reserve). Water bodies cover 338.3 ha, glaciers 1,164.6 ha, meadows 324.2 ha, clearings and wastelands 416.9 ha, pastures 12,365.6 ha, and other lands 10,076.7 ha (42.1% of non-forest lands).
The area of the reserve is 24,510 hectares and includes two separate protected areas: “Kulunata” covering 18,510 ha and “Tonzoo” — 6,000 ha.
One of the main goals of establishing the Kulunatin State Reserve is to preserve the biodiversity of this region, rich in the gene pool of the plant world and unique mountain-lake ecosystems.
The territory of the reserve is located between the Fergana and Alay mountain ranges, in the upper part of the Tar River.
The Kulunatin State Reserve is distinguished by the richness and diversity of natural conditions and resources. The reserve is home to uniquely beautiful mountain lakes — Kulunata and Ortokol.
Kulunatin Lake, along with its adjacent forested areas, subalpine and alpine meadows, represents a unique mountain-lake ecosystem.
The strict protection of the natural landscapes of the reserve allows for the preservation of biodiversity for our descendants.
One of the main tasks of the reserve is to ensure compliance with the protected regime, conduct educational work among the local population, reduce negative impacts on the environment, and increase public awareness of ecological literacy.
Sustainable preservation and rational use of forest biological diversity is also one of the tasks of the reserve.
The main measure for the conservation and restoration of background and rare species of animals and plants in the reserve can only be the adherence to the protected area regime.
As a result, the main anthropogenic factors negatively affecting the population of most animals, which recently need to reach their optimum, would be minimized.
The geographical location and climate of the reserve would allow for the spread of a large number of species of wild animals, beasts, and birds.
Thanks to the establishment of the state reserve and strict protection, the number of poaching and other violations is gradually decreasing, and the dynamics of animal populations are noticeably increasing.
Protected natural areas play an irreplaceable and exceptionally important role in ensuring natural balance; they are centers of ecological stability and the restoration of natural ecosystems, which are essential for maintaining the necessary conditions for human existence. A forward-looking ecological policy aimed at ensuring favorable living conditions for future generations is expressed in the creation of new specially protected natural areas. The newly organized reserve is the first in the Osh region, and there is hope that it will not be the last.
The landscape of the reserve is mountainous and quite diverse. There are about 600 species of useful wild flora. The reserve is home to 24 species of mammals, 81 species of birds, and 808 species of plants.
LEGEND OF KULUN-ATA
In the village of Konduk in the Kara-Kulja district of the Osh region, there is a spring called Toguz-Bulak, which, according to local residents, is sacred. There are certain rules for worshiping it. Those who want children must come to the spring alone and barefoot. There is a mausoleum near the spring.
As local elders recounted, heroes who fell in the struggle between the Kalmyks and Kyrgyz are buried here.
According to legend, a resident of the Alaykuu valley once came to the Toguz-Bulak spring on his horse to worship. While he was praying, he did not notice how it got dark. He decided to spend the night there. Waking up at night, he saw a white horse coming out of the spring. After some time, his horse gave birth to an unusual foal. Then this man decided to go to the spring again to get another foal. At night, the white horse appeared and took the foal away. Thus, the greedy man was left without a foal, and the area was named “Kulun-Ata” (kulun - foal, ata - father).