Kyrgyz Republic Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
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Kyrgyz Republic Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Ministry of Environmental Protection Bishkek November 1998 Front Cover 1. BSAP Logo. The logo represents the perfection and sustainability of biodiversity and mountains. The background is the traditional Kyrgyz ‘world tree’ symbol, which combines underground, ground and air elements, it’s shape represents the wholeness of the circle. Signs of plants and animals are also represented in the symbol’s design (e.g. ram’s horns). In the foreground are 1 three mountains; these represent the mountainous landscape of the Kyrgyz Republic, the ecological pyramids of healthy ecosystems, and the three main kingdoms of living creatures (plants, animals, and micro-organisms). (Designed by Emil Shukurov) 2. Snow leopard (Uncia uncia). The critically endangered snow leopard is of 3 spiritual significance to the Kyrgyz culture. (Rod Williams/Bruce Coleman Collection) 2 3. Mountain meadow. Meadows such as this contain many plants endemic to 4 the country, support grazing pastures that are an essential to the livelihoods of thousands of people in the country, and harbour many wild relatives of cultivated plants and flowers. (Mike Appleton/FFI) 4. Decorative plant carvings on 11 th century Qarakhanid mausoleam, 7 6 5 Uzgen, showing the ancient historical link between Kyrgyz culture and biodiversity. (Edward O’Keefe/FFI) 5. Kyrgyz Republic flag. The centre represents the symbolic centre of the traditional nomadic tents or yurts, surrounded by forty rays of light, representing the forty Kyrgyz tribes. 6. Sary Chelek Lake at the heart of Sary Chelek zapovednik. The lake contains an endemic species of fish and the surrounding mountains harbour many other rare and endangered species. (Mike Appleton/FFI) Greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). Bats are among the least visible of mammalian species diversity, despite having a crucial ecological role. The greater horseshoe bat is endangered across its range due to changes in agricultural practices and loss of forests. (Bruce Coleman Collection) © Ministry of Environmental Protection, Bishkek, 1998 November 1998 Published by: Ministry of Environmental Protection, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic Printed by: Profile Business Supplies, Bury St. Edmunds, UK Citation: Ministry of Environmental Protection. 1998. Kyrgyz Republic Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. MEP, Bishkek. Note about the English Version The Kyrgyz Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan was produced in Russian. This English version is primarily a translation from the original Russian version. Some alterations have been made to the content and format in order to make it appropriate to the different audience. Compilation and editing of the English version was carried out by Fauna & Flora International. If there is any doubt about differences between the two versions, the Russian version is taken to be the correct and original one. x Printed on Recycled Paper Foreword In the Kyrgyz Republic, despite the social and economic difficulties of the transition period, nature protection issues - particularly protection of the biosphere as a means of supporting life of all living things, including humans - have been made a priority in state policy. For instance, in 1995 the Kyrgyz Republic was the first country in the Central Asian region to develop its National Environmental Action Plan. Environmental issues are highlighted in the Sustainable Human Development Strategy, which was adopted on May 28th 1997 at the Forum of the People of Kyrgyzstan on the initiative of President Akaev. In addition, on July 29th 1998, on the initiative of the President, the Concept of Ecological Security was approved at the meeting of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic. All of these political documents highlight biodiversity conservation as one of the most important tasks of the state. The measures and decisions stipulated by the documents mentioned are either already being implemented or about to start. In particular, a number of small pilot projects have been implemented under the Kyrgyz-German ‘Issyk-Kul Biosphere Reserve’ project. The Global Environmental Facility have approved the West Tien Shan Transboundary Biodiversity Project, implementation of which will start at the beginning of 1999. The Kyrgyz-Swiss Forestry programme is also being implemented successfully. The protected area network continues to function and expand. The Kyrgyz Republic Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan represents the next stage of directed nature protection efforts. These projects have been prepared in accordance with the country’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was ratified in 1996. This project outlines the priority biodiversity conservation actions in the country, through the establishment of social, economic, information, legal, institutional and other prerequisites for the sustainable use of biodiversity, for the benefit of present and future generations. The Kyrgyz Republic fully realises the complexity of the tasks specified in the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan given the current economic situation. Nevertheless, the Republic is accepting the challenge of the ecological paradigm of the twenty-first century. This is because there is no other option, especially for our beautiful country, and because we count on assistance from the international community. For our white-capped mountains with their purest waters, beautiful alpine meadows, evergreen spruces, unique fruit-nut forests, high-mountainous blue lakes such as Issyk-Kul, Song- Kul and Sary-Chelek are the property of all mankind. Minister of Environmental Protection, Corresponding member of National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic K.Dj.Bokonbaev Kyrgyz Republic Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Contents Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................7 Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................9 1. Overall Introduction...................................................................................................................10 1.1 The Global Importance of Biodiversity ...............................................................................10 1.2 The Convention on Biological Diversity..............................................................................11 1.3 Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans ............................................................................12 1.4 Introduction to the Kyrgyz Republic ...................................................................................12 1.4.1 Location and size.....................................................................................................12 1.4.2 Geography...............................................................................................................12 1.4.3 Climate....................................................................................................................13 1.4.4 Population ...............................................................................................................13 1.4.5 The economic, social and political situation................................................................13 1.5 Biodiversity in the Kyrgyz Republic....................................................................................14 1.5.1 The importance of biodiversity in the Kyrgyz Republic ................................................14 1.5.2 General threats to biodiversity...................................................................................15 1.6 The Kyrgyz Republic Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.................................................16 1.6.1 Ratification of the CBD.............................................................................................16 1.6.2 Origin of the Kyrgyz BSAP........................................................................................16 1.6.3 Process...................................................................................................................16 1.6.4 Explanation of the document .....................................................................................17 1.6.5 Intended audience of the report.................................................................................17 2. Country Study of Biodiversity in the Kyrgyz Republic ..................................................................18 2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................18 2.2 The Status of Biodiversity .................................................................................................18 2.2.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................18 2.2.2 Information review....................................................................................................19 2.2.3 Conclusion...............................................................................................................25 2.3 Existing Programmes for Biodiversity Conservation ............................................................27 2.3.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................27 2.3.2 Information review....................................................................................................27