State Natural Park "Chon-Kemin"
is a nature conservation and scientific research institution, classified as a specially protected natural area of the Kyrgyz Republic.The State Natural Park "Chon-Kemin" was established in accordance with the resolution of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic dated August 13, 1997, No. 472 “On the establishment of the State Natural Park “Chon-Kemin” in the Kemin District of Chui Region,” with the aim of preserving natural complexes, forests, and objects of animal and plant life that have special ecological and aesthetic value, due to the favorable combination of natural and cultural landscapes, and using them for recreational, educational, scientific, and cultural purposes.
Climate of the area is sharply continental with great variability depending on altitude, exposure, and slope steepness. The higher the area, the lower the air temperature, the higher the relative and absolute humidity, the greater the amount of precipitation, the higher the snow cover, the earlier the onset of frost, and the later the end of frost, i.e., a shorter frost-free period. At the same altitudes, northern slopes are colder and wetter, while southern slopes are warmer and drier. In the area where settlements are located, the average temperature in January is –10.5°C, and in July it is 17.0°C. Precipitation is unevenly distributed both throughout the year and across different areas. If at the mouth the annual precipitation is 377 mm with most falling in spring, then in the upper reaches, the annual amount is 659 mm, with 40.7% falling during the summer months.
In the glacial zone at the upper reaches of the Chon-Kemin River, summer precipitation accounts for about 54% of the annual total, peaking in July. The minimum precipitation occurs in January. Temperature fluctuations, both in terms of altitude and throughout the day, are pronounced. Other climatic data are characterized by the following indicators: the average date of snow cover appearance is October 27, and its disappearance is April 14; the average date of the first autumn frost is September 20, and the last spring frost is May 20. The frost-free period lasts for 114 days. In the summer, mountain-valley winds are well developed in the high-altitude zone of Kungey-Alatau. Glacial winds are also noted in the glacial zone.
RELIEF The Northern Tien Shan represents a relatively young mountain country formed by block uplifts and folding over an old, previously existing, but heavily eroded landscape. Additionally, ancient glaciation played an important role in shaping the high-altitude relief, leaving behind trough valleys and glacial cirques. The area has a very complex mountainous relief. Along with two main high ridges, Zailiysky Alatau and Kungey Alatau, there are intermountain depressions, valleys, foothill inclined plains, and other forms of relief.
The relief of the park territory is highly rugged, with slopes reaching up to 70°. The areas of all individual sections with a common slope are significantly cut by ridges, deep gorges, and dry riverbeds. The lowest absolute elevations in the natural park are 1500 m, and the highest is Peak Choktal at 4771 m above sea level.
The Chon-Kemin depression is a geomorphological system of a closed type. The Kungey and Zailiysky Ala-Too ridges, separating the valley from the south and north, connect in the central parts, closing the valley from the east. To the west, the valley is supported by the spurs of the Kyrgyz ridge. It also belongs to the low-mountain depressions of Northern Tien Shan. The absolute height of the bottom lies within 1400-1800 m above sea level. The average heights of the Kungey and Zailiysky Ala-Too ridges are 4200 and 3700 m above sea level, respectively. The Kemin ridge, separating Chon-Kemin from Kichi-Kemin, is significantly lower in height than the previous ones: its average height is about 3100 m above sea level.
Rivers The Chon-Kemin River originates from the glaciers of the high-altitude area where the Kungey Ala-Too and Zailiysky Ala-Too ridges converge. The general direction of the river's flow is from the northeast to the southwest between the western halves of the named ridges. The Chon-Kemin River, flowing for about 120 km, receives numerous tributaries and springs from both sides and flows into the Chu River as a right tributary, being quite a water-rich and turbulent river.
The main tributaries of the Chon-Kemin River are Ak-Suu, Dolonotu, Cholpon-Ata, Törtünchü Koy-Suu, Chon-Koy-Suu, Orto-Koy-Suu, Koy-Suu, Kashka-Suu, Jindi-Suu, Chymbulak, Kalmak-Suu, Tar-Suu, Ak-Tash-Koroo. The total catchment area of the Chon-Kemin River is about 1890 km². Observations over several years show that the average annual water flow at the mouth (at the gauging station at the confluence with the Chu River) is 21.9 m³/sec, decreasing to 9.2 m³/sec by March. Over three summer months, 50% of the annual runoff volume passes through the river.
The northern border of the Malo-Kemin forestry is washed by the Kichi-Kemin River, which originates in the Zailiysky Ala-Too ridge at an altitude of about 4100 m above sea level. The relatively low-water river receives many small streams of spring origin in the area of the forestry. The main tributary is the Karagayluu-Bulak River. The Kichi-Kemin River provides drinking and irrigation water to the lower located aiyl districts, such as Ak-Tyuz, Ilyichevsky, A. Dyusheevsky, and Boroldoy.
Lakes In the basin of the Chon-Kemin River, there are 2 small high-altitude lakes. The moraine-dammed lake Jashyl-Kol (Chelek) is located at an altitude, according to various data, from 3150 to 3427 m above sea level, at the sources of the Chon-Kemin River at the junction of the Kungey Ala-Too and Zailiysky Ala-Too ridges. The dam lake Köl-Tör (Kel-Kogur) is located at an altitude, according to various data, from 2420 to 2465 m above sea level on the northern slope of the Kungey Ala-Too ridge.
The surface area is about 16 hectares.
Glaciers There are 109 glaciers in the Chon-Kemin basin.
The largest glaciers: Zhangyryk-8.9 km, Southern Zhangyryk-8.0 km, At-Dzhailoo-7.6 km, Novy-6.4 km.
The flora of the park can be estimated at about 650 species, belonging to approximately 107 families and about 790 genera.
A significant number of species, up to 30%, are endemics of Central Asia.
The following species are included in the "Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic": Siberian apple tree, Kolpakovsky tulip, Semenov onion, large-cup primrose, Sossurea oblonga, Edelweiss popovnik.
Other red-listed species previously mentioned for the park, such as Eremurus zois, Junonia orchid, and Greig's tulip, are apparently absent from the park's territory.
The vegetation of the Chon-Kemin park is quite diverse and is arranged according to vertical zonation. However, within the park, mainly the upper zones of the typical vertical distribution of vegetation of the Chon-Kemin River basin are present.
Natural untouched spruce forests. Spruce forests with the main species being Tien Shan spruce are the main natural value of the park. Spruce forests grow in the middle mountain zone, on northern slopes, characterized by majesty and beauty. Its unique ability to retain moisture is remarkable. Spruce forests are the main regulator of moisture in the mountains of Northern Tien Shan.
Main types of vegetation
The following main types of vegetation are distinguished in the territory of the Chon-Kemin natural park: steppes, meadow-steppes, meadows, shrubs, forests, subalpine and alpine meadows, and white forests.
Fauna of vertebrates includes 172 species, including 9 species of fish, 2 species of amphibians, 11 species of reptiles, 117 species of birds, and 33 mammals. The fauna of invertebrates in the Chon-Kemin valley consists of terrestrial and aquatic complexes. Insects play a prominent role here, comprising 2 classes, 28 orders, 350 families, about 1500 genera, and over 3000 species, with beetles, grasshoppers, dipterans, and lepidopterans predominating. Other invertebrates belong to 9 types, 20 classes, 95 orders, 300 families, 700 genera, and 1500 species.
Birds are the most numerous in terms of species among vertebrates inhabiting the territory of the natural park. A total of 117 bird species have been identified in the park, which accounts for about 30% of the bird species diversity in Kyrgyzstan. Of these, 74 species belong to the order Passeriformes. The order Anseriformes is represented by 2 species, Falconiformes by 13, Galliformes by 6, Gruiformes by 1, Charadriiformes by 5, Columbiformes by 5, Cuculiformes by 1, Strigiformes by 5, Caprimulgiformes by 1, Ralliformes by 1, Upupiformes by 1, and Piciformes by 2.
List of bird species listed in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic inhabiting the State Natural Park "Chon-Kemin"
1. Dwarf eagle; 2. Golden eagle; 3. Bearded vulture; 4. Himalayan griffon; 5. Black vulture; 6. Capercaillie; 7. Corncrake; 8. Eurasian eagle-owl; 9. Short-eared owl; 10. White-winged woodpecker; 11. Serpentine-billed bird.
Mammals in the State Natural Park "Chon-Kemin" are represented by 5 orders: insectivores, rodents, bats, lagomorphs, artiodactyls, and carnivores.
In the territory of the natural park, there are species listed in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic - 6 species of mammals and 11 species of birds.
List of mammal species listed in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic inhabiting the State Natural Park "Chon-Kemin":
1. Brown bear; 2. Lynx; 3. Snow leopard; 4. Stone marten; 5. Red deer; 6. Mountain sheep.
NATURAL AND HISTORICAL-CULTURAL VALUES.
Lake Jashyl-Kel (Chelek). The lake is located at an altitude of 3120-3450 m above sea level. This magnificent mountain lake shines in the sunlight like an emerald. From a distance, it appears green, but the water in it is crystal clear. The lake is situated among high mountains and has a moraine-dammed origin. Lake Köl-Ter (Kel-Kogur) is at 2450 m above sea level and has a dam origin.
While Jashyl-Kel is located in harsh mountain tundra, Lake Köl-Ter with its clear bluish water is situated in picturesque wooded areas and is among the most beautiful mountain lakes of Northern Tien Shan.
Stone glacier Kara-Korum. The stone flow of Kara-Korum (black moraine) is about 5 km long and over 200 meters wide, attracting the attention of any traveler. It is located in the interfluve of Orto-Koy-Suu and Chon-Koy-Suu (left tributaries of the Chon-Kemin River).
Canyon Jindi-Suu. A picturesque canyon up to 200 meters deep, formed as a result of a lake break, is located near the confluence of its left tributary Jindi-Suu into the Chon-Kemin.
Mountain Choktal. The highest peak of Kungey Ala-Too. The upper part of the ridge is crowned by the snow-white four-headed massif Choktal – 4771 m.
Along with natural values, the Chon-Kemin valley contains objects that are included in the state list of historical and cultural monuments of national significance. Such objects include:
The house where the famous composer M. Kurentkeev (1860-1949) lived in the village of Kayindy, dated 1947-49;
An archaeological monument, a burial ground from the VII-III century BC, located south of the village of Tegirmenti;
Shabdan Jantaev (1839-1912), better known as Shabdan-batyr, a Kyrgyz statesman and military leader, the largest manap of the Sary-Bagysh clan. A memorial complex "Shabdan-Ata" has been established in the village of Kyzyl-Bayrak. Later, on August 29, 2014, monuments to other public and state figures of the republic during the Soviet era, A. Dyusheev and Zh. Ibraimov, as well as academicians B. Yunusaliev and S. Daniyarov, were erected in this complex.