A semestrial newsletter published by JUMP - a project funded by the European Union and implemented by ENGREF

In South , the branches of are commonly burnt by Artcha fume the local population to clean the air in brings luck even in Osh the yurta and protect the family bazar against the bad eye.

The results from a summer field work of the Forest Research Institute in the Juniper forests of Batken oblast confirm the hypothesis that regeneration of Artcha is better than expected, and that forests density and conditions basically depend on the altitude, with a lower situation in the Eastern part of the region (from 1600 to 2400-2600m in Osh oblast) compared to the West (from 2000-2100 to 3000-3200m in the Batken area). In the lower mountains, where the impact of human pressure is the heaviest, there is almost no natural regeneration, due to a very low density of the forests which prevents pollination of the female flowers. An exception is the Artcha forest on the northern slopes of Batken oblast, where the are good and natural regeneration is quite satisfactory.

In the medium mountains belt, the forest density is higher, mainly on the steep slopes, and natural regeneration is of a cyclic character: in average once in 50-100 years, there may be good conditions for regeneration (good quality seeds, lack of spring and autumn frosts, equally distributed precipitation during the vegetation period) In this zone, the scientists mark “outbursts of regeneration” and noted good young growth of Artcha on the old forest fires locations. In the high mountain sub-belt, the Artcha trees are also better preserved, mainly on steep slopes, and poor regeneration here is compensated by vegetative regeneration.

JUMP, a project funded by the European Union and implemented by ENGREF The EU- project programme for 2005 was initially devoted to the formulation of Integrated Management Plans (IMPs) for the 10 Territorial Management Units (TMUs) situated in South Kyrgyzstan. Due to the political events occurred in Kyrgyzstan during March 2005, field works didn’t start in planned time. In order to adapt to this delay, a new programme was elaborated in agreement with all the project partners. Indeed, this year, the formulation of IMPs will concern only two TMUs located in the center of Osh Oblast, the Nookat leshoze and the State Natural Park «Кyrgyz-Ата», which will serve as models for establishing technical guidelines to be fully implemented next year.

The Nookat Territorial Management Unit (leshoze) is located on the territory of Nookat district, in Osh Oblast. This region is characterised by a rich diversity of relief and soil conditions, allowing the local population to be engaged in both agricultural and livestock activities. The head office is situated 20 km away from the district center (Nookat village) and 80 km from the Oblast center (Osh city). The territory of the leshoze extends for 78 km from the East to the West, and 57 km from the North to the South. The total area of the leshoze is 94,237 ha. For administrative and operational purposes, the management unit is divided in 4 Forest Map of South Kyrgyzstan: ranges and one masters’ plot: the zone of the JUMP project

Area Forest ranges ha % Abshirata 35,922 38 Kizirata 15,745 17 Altinkazik 17,459 18 Kitshikalai 24,975 26 Giyde 136 1 Total area of the leshoze 94,237 100

The area of the Nookat leshoze is considered to be part of Turkestan-Alai forest vegetation zone. The vegetation area is constituted mainly of juniper forests, as well as of sparse growth Map of Nookat Territorial Management Unit of trees, meadows, , step grasses and rocks. The forest land occupies only 34 % of the territory, while the forested area accounts only for 27 % of the total area of the leshoze:

Forest lands Area (ha) % Covered with forests 25,751 27 Non covered with forests 6,156 7 Total of forest lands 31,907 34 Non forest lands Area (ha) % Irrigated lands 122 Non irrigated lands 45 Haymaking 307 Pastures 28,867 31 Glacier 3,273 3 Other lands 29,716 32 Total of non forest lands 62,330 66 Total area of the leshoze 94,237 100

The basic forest forming breeds of the Nookat mountain landscape are: Juniperus Zeravschanica, Juniperus Semiglobosa, and Other species and shrubs 9,730 ha Juniperus Turkestanica.. As they grow on mountain slopes, the role Juniper Zeravshanika 933 ha of these forests is multifunctional. They have huge water-protective, Juniper Semiglobosa 8,807 ha water-managing, soil-protective, rock-protective, anti land slide and Juniper Turkistanika 6,280 ha recreational value. The insignificant share of the forest cover can be explained not only by the prevailing aridity of the local climate which is characterised by dryness and continentality, but also mainly by human pressure (cattle grazing, firewood, illegal Operational zone 1,068 ha felling…). Based on the forest land use and accessibility, the limited zone 7,046 ha territory of Nookat leshoze is divided into three zones: the operational zone where activities can be undertaken, a zone where Non operational 86,121 ha activities are limited, and the non operational (non accessible) zone. The State Natural Park «Кyrgyz-Ата» is located on a southeast part of Nookat district, in the center of Osh region, at the junction of two greatest mountain systems- Tien Shan and Pamir Alai. The Park is 26 km away from the district center (Nookat village) and 56 km from the oblast center (Osh city). The territory of the park extends for 10,5 km from the North to the South and 16,5 km from the West to the East. The total area of the park is 11,172 ha.

As for the Nookat leshoze, the territory of «Кyrgyz-Ата» Park takes part of the Turkestan- 514 ha Alai forest vegetation zone. About 60% of the Other tree species and shrubs 655 ha Park forest covered area consists in Juniperus Juniper Semiglobosa Turkestanica. The land category repartition shows Juniper Turkistanika 1,805 ha that more than 55 % of the area is affected to non forest lands (arable lands, pastures… ) : Map of the State Natural Park «Кyrgyz-Ата» Forest lands Area (ha) % Forest 3,029.9 27 Nurseries and plantations 4.3 / Dispersed forests 723.8 6 Glades and waste lands 1,229.9 12 Total of forest lands 4,987.9 45 Non forest lands Irrigated arable lands 58.8 1 Haymaking 17.7 / Pastures 2,674.9 24 Waters 25.4 / Roads 32.1 / Other lands 3,375.4 30 Total of non forest lands 6,184.3 55 Total area of the Park 11,172.2 100 The main management objectives and tasks assigned to the State Natural Park «Кyrgyz-Ата» are the following : • Preservation of landscapes, water resources, vegetation and fauna, historical and cultural monuments for recreational, educational and scientific purposes; • Creation of conditions for tourism and recreation; • Carrying out of scientific researches and assistance to research organisations for studying wildlife management in conditions of recreational use of territory; • Flora and fauna reproduction, forest regeneration and restoration, protection of forest areas with scientific, cultural, aesthetic and economic values; • Realisation of ecological monitoring. Buffer zone 1,045 ha Recreational zone 1,870 ha Based on those management objectives, the territory of the park is divided into four functional zones: reproduction, reserved, Reserved zone 2,082 ha recreational and buffer zone. Reproduction zone 6,175 ha

In a non-productive region such as South Kyrgyzstan, the Nookat leshoze and «Кyrgyz-Ата» Park face similar problems and difficulties, as it is the case in all the Territorial Management Units in the Juniper zone: from one side, the increasing demand and use of natural resources from local population (firewood, timber, grazing…), and financial constraints (lack of means, low wages…) decreasing the effectiveness of the working staff from the other side. This situation has negative impacts on the forest resource and worsens the ongoing process of Juniper forests depletion. To address this hard challenge, the staff of the leshoz and the Park, in collaboration with local stakeholders, especially local population, and local Administration, should adopt a more participatory, multifunctional, and integrated approach in managing and using the forest resources. This objective will be reached through the elaboration of Integrated Management Plans, to be elaborated in the project based on a common work of :

• ENGREF: methodology and moderation, • State Forest Service: definition of strategies at TMUs level in partnership with local stakeholders, and writing of the plans, • Forest Research Institute: technical expertise supporting objectives and means definition, • Intercooperation-Kyrgyzstan: support to methodology (content of plans, issues to be raised). The partners in brief:

Osh Technological University is a State university training specialists in engineering, technology, ecology, geology and economy. OshTU is especially in charge of training specialists for financial and taxation organisations, administrative and juridical structures, foreign trade companies. Special programmes deal with information systems, and ecology and use of natural resources. OshTU was established in 1996, from the faculty of technical sciences of Frunze polytechnic institute, founded in 1963. OshTU includes 8 departments with 75 specialities. The students make a total number of 12 000, coming from Kyrgyzstan, but also from , , Turkmenistan, Russia, , Turkey, and . University staff consists of 400 teachers, including 80 PhD degrees and 14 habilitated professors. OshTU develops international relations with NATO project «Science for Peace», EU programmes Tempus, Tacis and JUMP project, educational network «EdNet» and the Wolksvagen foundation. Significant scientific works are printed in OshTU News. During each of the two annual semesters, lectures occupy 60%, laboratory and practical subjects 20%, the rest being devoted to individual work. University has modern computer rooms, personal computers, scanners, and unlimited access to Internet.

The Technology and Ecology Department includes the Laboratory of Ecology, directed by Professor Bimyrza Toktoraliev, a correspondent-member of the National Academy of Science. In addition, inside the laboratory, a group of 10 scientists, including 1 doctor, contributes to the project scientific work in ecology. Considering its major role in developing applied science in South Kyrgyzstan, Osh-TU will host the Forest Training Center funded by the project.

To know more about OshTU, please contact: [email protected]

The partners in 2005 Leading agency: ENGREF, French Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Forest Policy, 14 rue Girardet, 54042 Nancy, France - tel.: 33 383 396845 - Fax.: 33 383 302254 e-mail: [email protected] (Prof. G. Buttoud)

Partners: SFS, State Forest Service of the Kyrgyz Republic, Toktogul street 28, 720001 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Tel.: 996 312 611398 - Fax.: 996 312 610016 e-mail: [email protected] (A. Burhanov)

FRI, Forest and Walnut Research Institute, 15 Karagachovaya roscha, 720071 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Tel.: 996 312 279 082 - Fax.: 996 312 279 082 e-mail : [email protected] (B. I. Venglovski)

OTU, Osh Technical University, Laboratory of Ecology, Isanov street 81, 714018 Osh, Kyrgyzstan Tel.: 996 322 252 181 - Fax.: 996 322 252 907 e-mail : toktoraliev@ hotmail.com (Prof. B. Toktoraliev) IC-KIRFOR, Kyrgyz-Swiss Forestry Support Programme, Karagachovaya Rostcha 15, P.O. Box 2011 720000 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan -Tel.: 996 312 679 634 - Fax.: 996 312 679 057 e-mail: lesic@ elcat.kg (E. Grisa)

For further information, please contact: Prof.Gérard BUTTOUD scientific director: [email protected]

The Juniper Fume: a realisation by Kamel CHORFI : [email protected]

This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of ENGREF and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.

JUMP, a project funded by the European Union and implemented by ENGREF