According to local resident Beishenbek Kurenkee, this pasture is situated 30 kilometers from the village of Kosh-Döbö and is divided into two main valleys: Keng Bychan (wide Bychan) and Kichi Bychan (small Bychan). Keng Bychan is located to the southwest of Kosh-Döbö, while Kichi Bychan is to the west and borders the Saymaluu-Tash Nature Park and the Baybiche Too mountain ranges. The Bychan River, a left tributary of the Ala-Buga River, flows through Bychan, with a length of 56 kilometers. It often rains here in May and June, and significant snowfall occurs in winter.
What is the flora and fauna of this pasture?
The slopes of the mountains are covered with a variety of trees and shrubs, such as firs, rowans, birches, hawthorns, mountain currants, barberries, as well as white birches and willows.
Among the animals that inhabit this area, one can find wolves, roe deer, badgers, marmots, martens, otters, foxes, hares, and many others. Birds such as quails, hoopoes, larks, cuckoos, partridges, mountain turkeys, golden eagles, steppe eagles, and kestrels are also found in these expanses. Rare species listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan, such as bears, martens, wild boars, and lynxes, can also be encountered in this area.
Beishenbek Kurenkee mentioned that the Bychan pasture has a rich history. In the mid-18th century, the Khan of the Kokand Khanate, Madali Khan, sent 500 soldiers led by Arap batyr to capture Tylak batyr. Upon learning of this, Tylak gathered his army and confronted the enemy at Bychan. At the pass between the mountains, Tylak fought Arap one-on-one and defeated him, piercing him with a spear. Since then, this pass has been known as Arap Bel (bel means pass), and in some legends, it is referred to as "Arap ölгөн жер" (the place where Arap fell).
On the territory of the pasture, there is also the area of As-Kazan, known for its stones resembling various household items and food. According to legend, a wealthy "bai" lived here, who was so greedy that he did not even share food scraps with his slaves. This angered God, and a snowstorm struck the area, lasting for seven days. The "bai," unwilling to leave his settled place, finally decided to move. When he began loading his riches onto camels, all his possessions turned into stones and remained in place, so he could not take any valuables with him.
Additionally, there is a mountain peak called Pulemyot in Bychan. Locals claim it was named in honor of Janibek Kazy, who fought against the army of the Russian Empire at this site. Here, one can still find bullet fragments, which is the reason for its name.
As for the name of the pasture Bychan itself, Beishenbek shared the following legend: "At first, I also did not know why it was named so. However, 4-5 years ago, my in-laws from the south came to us and asked: 'Bul bychandy emnege chappaysynar?' (Why are you not mowing the grass here?). That's when I learned that the word 'bychan' translates to a meadow with dense grass. And indeed, grass grows very thickly in Bychan, and it can be mowed for livestock."
In the village of Kosh-Döbö, according to B. Kurenkee, the majority of the residents belong to the "Basyz" clan, which is primarily found in the southern part of the country. The Bychan pasture is divided into three areas: Bash-Korumdu, Orto-Korumdu, and Chet-Korumdu.
5 photographs by Smail uulu Erlan, and the rest by the correspondent of Turmush
