Protected Natural Areas and Conservation Activities
Nature is the primary source of satisfying the material and spiritual needs of people. Any products consumed by humans are ultimately created through the use of natural resources. At the same time, the use of nature's wealth must be reasonable and well thought out. Careless attitudes towards nature and irrational use of its resources can lead to undesirable consequences.
To prevent undesirable consequences of human-nature interactions, laws are enacted that regulate the production activities of society, and a number of restrictions are introduced, including the creation of protected natural areas.
In many countries, the organizational forms of protected natural areas are heterogeneous, and the concepts of nature reserves, national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries carry different meanings.
In the Chuy Valley, there are 2 national natural parks: Ala-Archa and Chon-Kemin. The term "national" first appeared in the USA (Yellowstone National Park, 1872). The main principle of their organization was the preservation of valuable natural objects "for the benefit and good of the nation," i.e., under the condition of free access for people, but with the exclusion of traditional utilitarian economic use. Typically, parks are created in particularly picturesque areas where recreation among "wild nature" is possible. Conditions are created here for organized recreation in nature. Parks may have zones completely isolated from visits and zones where tourist visits are allowed.
The first national natural park in the republic, Ala-Archa National Park, was established in the Chuy Valley in 1976. Its area is 19,400 hectares. It is located within the same name, very picturesque and unique valley near the city of Bishkek. Its main task is to organize so-called limited use (mainly for recreation and tourism) combined with the protection of the natural state of forest, meadow, and other ecosystems.
In December 1997, Chon-Kemin National Park was established. Its area is 126,514 hectares.
In addition to the aforementioned national natural parks, there are several reserves (protected areas with limited use) in the Chuy Valley. Reserves are temporarily protected areas for the restoration of the population of commercially hunted animals or the population of valuable plant species. Their main task is to protect and preserve (habitats) the range of rare and endangered species of plants and animals. Depending on the protected objects, reserves can be landscape, botanical, hunting, forest, geological, and hydrological. For example: Aksuysky Complex Reserve, botanical reserves Kapchagay, Chon-Aryk, Almaly, the Jardy-Kaindy reserve, and others.
Alongside this, important objects that require protection are natural monuments. Monuments are considered to be unique natural objects that have been preserved to this day in the area. These include caves, waterfalls such as Koguchkon-Sugat, Kegeti, Issyk-Ata, and many others. They have scientific, aesthetic, and cultural significance and are protected for recreational and educational purposes for the current and future generations of people.
The protection of beautiful and picturesque places is also necessary for tourism, as it is inconceivable without utilizing the aesthetic qualities of nature, both for recreation and for treatment in resort areas. Nature is protected for all living organisms and, first and foremost, for people. Here it is appropriate to recall the principle "use while protecting, and protect while using."
