The fate of the Enver Gareev Botanic Garden, one of the largest botanic gardens in Central Asia, raises many questions and concerns among the residents of Bishkek.
After President Sadyr Japarov's visit in the spring of 2024, the townspeople began to hope for the restoration of the garden. In January 2025, it was granted the status of a specially protected natural area. However, recent tree felling on Akhunbaev Street has raised new fears: residents are worried about the construction of high-rise buildings in the area.
“When I pass by the Botanic Garden on Akhunbaev Street, it's hard to believe my eyes — almost nothing is left of it. Instead of restoring it, everything has been cut down and they are building football fields! This is real barbarism,” shares a Bishkek resident on social media.
Journalists 24.kg visited the Botanic Garden to find out what is really happening and spoke with its management.
Budget and Staffing Issues: How 78 Million Som Are Spent
The Botanic Garden is divided into three parts: plots in Bishkek on Akhunbaev and Gorky Streets, as well as a branch in Naryn. Director Melis Chakiyev reported that there are only 64 employees in the garden, but plans are in place to increase the staff by 89 people, of which 50 will be workers (including 24 seasonal) and 17 researchers. The most acute problem is the lack of staff in Naryn.
Renovations have been carried out in the Botanic Garden: a laboratory and a mini-hotel for employees with a conference room and kitchen have been restored. Special equipment with tents, sleeping bags, and gas burners has been purchased for expeditions. Six greenhouses have also been restored in different parts of the garden.
Plans include creating a production base for growing local seedlings adapted to the climate of Kyrgyzstan.
“During the Soviet Union, the staff of the Botanic Garden numbered about 260 people. Today, there are almost no workers, mainly researchers. Security is provided by only 15 people at five posts, and there is none in Naryn. Salaries are low — 10-12 thousand som, so mainly retirees come to work. We have no plumbers, electricians, or janitors. Last year, the president allocated funds, and we completely fenced off 120 hectares,” shares Melis Chakiyev.
Two wells have been drilled on Akhunbaev Street, a third is in development, and 10 reservoirs are being prepared for irrigation from April to June. Last year, a tender was held for the modernization of the irrigation system for 78 million som. New seedlings of pines, spruces, and birches have already been ordered, and fruit trees are planned to be planted in the upper part on Akhunbaev.
The main task now is to restore the former glory of the Botanic Garden; scientific research is not yet on the agenda.
Melis Chakiyev
Recreational areas are also planned: a football field, a workout area, an amphitheater for events, renovation of the first floor of the administrative building, and installation of heat pumps in all seven buildings.
Scientific Activity in the Botanic Garden on Gorky Street
The head of the fruit crops laboratory, Deputy Director Nurlan Albanov, who has headed the laboratory for 34 years, spoke about the life of the Botanic Garden on Gorky Street.
“In every region of Kyrgyzstan, there are its own varieties of plants adapted to the local climate. We have developed varieties such as ‘Elena’, ‘Darya’, ‘Anastasia’, ‘Baktygul’, ‘Tulpar’, and ‘Chuy Beauty’. The last variety thrives well in the cold climate of the Naryn region,” Nurlan Albanov proudly states.
The upper part of the Botanic Garden includes a laboratory for ornamental plants with a greenhouse, where palms, bananas, and subtropical plants create a tropical atmosphere. This laboratory is one of the oldest in Kyrgyzstan, founded in 1938.
In 2022, a large-scale renovation began: new laboratory buildings were constructed, the greenhouse was completely renovated, and a mini-pond with aquatic plants was organized.
Currently, nine people work in the laboratory — laboratory assistants, senior laboratory assistants, an agronomist, and a guard. “Their work involves not only caring for the plants but also preserving a unique corner of nature in the city,” emphasizes Nurlan Albanov.
Interaction of People and Plants in the Botanic Garden
The upper part of the Botanic Garden is divided into two sections: a flower section, where tulips are grown, and an area for trees.
“We grow tulips and carefully separate the varieties from each other using stakes. All varieties are zoned, some of them are the result of domestic scientific developments,” specifies the deputy director.
A large tulip festival will take place here in April, featuring over 2000 flowers of various varieties.
It is important to note that the upper part of the Botanic Garden is open to visitors until 8:00 PM. The main requirements are: no littering, no walking on the lawns, no picnicking, no walking pets, and no smoking. Video surveillance and a guard monitor the order. Tours and wedding photo sessions are allowed.
“We cleared the area of weeds, laid paths for walking and running. We also built restrooms and a parking lot for more than 10 cars,” adds Nurlan Albanov.
A flower shop with blooms from their own plantings is planned to open for the tulip festival.
Students are doing internships at the Botanic Garden, gaining experience working with plants as future landscape designers and herbal specialists.
“Young people are reluctant to work in the Botanic Garden due to low salaries, but it is a calm and fascinating activity. I hope that conditions will improve, and young people will become interested in this work,” emphasizes Nurlan Albanov.
Greenhouse from 1947: Tropics in the Center of Bishkek
“We have improved the irrigation system: old lines have been supplemented with new ones. The irrigation ditches have been updated, and now there are both ditch and drip systems. A well has been drilled, and a water tower has been built,” says the deputy director of the Botanic Garden.According to a Korean project, a forest has been created next to the tower to measure carbon neutrality: five species of trees have been planted for scientific research in the fields of climate and ecology.
The greenhouse was completely renovated in 2023: the roof and heating system were updated.
Built in 1947, it houses over 500 species of plants, including ficuses, monsteras, rare cacti, banana trees, strelitzias, and magnolias.
“We have no insects, so we pollinate the plants manually,” says the head of the laboratory, Aisha Turbatova, who has worked here for 43 years.
Protected Area: The Botanic Garden is Not Subject to Development
The lower part of the Botanic Garden, the dendrological reserve, is closed to outsiders. Here, more than 4500 species of plants grow, including sectors dedicated to various countries; a Korean Peace Garden with an arch, a water body, and a gazebo has recently been opened.
In conclusion, the deputy director of the "lungs of the city" reassured citizens:
The status of a specially protected natural area guarantees protection — no construction is planned here. We cannot give away a single square meter.
Nurlan Albanov
He added that the Botanic Garden will continue to exist, and scientific research work will be resumed. Some areas will be renovated and opened to visitors. In the lower part of the garden on Akhunbaev Street, running, walking, and cycling paths will be created. Access is currently closed for safety reasons while renovations are ongoing.
