Potential for strengthening the coverage of the core ­ zone of Biosphere Reserve Issyk-Kul ­ This project has been funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety with means of the Advisory Assistance Programme for Environmental Protection in the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. It was supervised by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz, BfN) and the Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA). The content of this publication lies within the responsibility of the authors. Bishkek / Greifswald 2014 Potential for strengthening the coverage of the core zone of Biosphere Reserve Issyk-Kul prepared by: Jens Wunderlich Michael Succow Foundation for the protection of Nature Ellernholzstr. 1/3 D- 17489 Greifswald Germany Tel.: +49 3834 835414 E-Mail: [email protected] www.succow-stiftung.de/home.html Ilia Domashev, Kirilenko A.V., Shukurov E.E. BIOM 105 / 328 Abdymomunova Str. 6th Laboratory Building of Kyrgyz National University named J.Balasagyn Bishkek Kyrgyzstan E-Mail: [email protected] www.biom.kg/en Scientific consultant: Prof. Shukurov, E.Dj. front page picture: Prof. Michael Succow desert south-west of Issyk-Kul – summer 2013 Abbreviations and explanation of terms ­ Aiyl Kyrgyz for village Akim Province governor BMZ Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany BMU Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety of Germany BR Biosphere Reserve Court of Ak-sakal traditional way to solve conflicts. Court of Ak-sakal is elected among respected persons. It deals with small household disputes and conflicts, leading parties to agreement. ESPOO Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context GTZ German Technical Cooperation (today GIZ) Local kenesh The local council, consists of 10-16 people and functions as local legislative court, approves the budget, adopts plans for social and economic development of the local territory. Jaiyt committee Pasture council committee NABU Naturschutzbund Deutschland (German environmental NGO) SCENP State Committee of Environment and Nature Protection of the Kyrgyz Republic SAEF State Agency of Environment and Forestry Women’s council form of social organization, which has its roots in the Soviet Union and aims at the mobilization of women and consideration of their interests in various matters. In villages, they often deal with social issues as kindergartens, schools and so on Zakaznik wildlife sanctuary or game management reserve Zapovednik state reserve – strictest nature protection regime in Kyrgyzstan (IUCN Ia) CONTENT 1. SUMMARY 1 1.1. Objectives of the project 2 ­ 1.2. Expected results according to the project proposal 2 ­ 2. STATUS QUO 3 2.1. History of Biosphere Reserve establishment and Germanys contribution 3 ­ 2.2. Status and prospects for nature conservation in Issyk-Kul province 4 ­ 2.2.1. National and international level of protection of the territory 4 ­ 2.2.2. Issyk-Kul State Reserve 4 ­ 2.2.3. Sarychat-Ertash State Reserve 5 ­ 2.2.4. Issyk-Kul Biosphere Reserve 5 ­ 2.3. Biosphere Reserve Issyk-Kul at a glance 6 ­ 2.3.1. Zonation 7 ­ 2.3.2. Monitoring 8 ­ 2.3.3. Rangers and law enforcement 9 ­ 2.3.4. Education 9 ­ 2.3.5. Tourism 10 ­ 2.3.6. Cooperation 10 ­ 2.3.7. International recognition of biodiversity in Issyk-Kul province 11 ­ 2.3.8. Particular threats or shortcomings of Biosphere Reserve Issyk-Kul performance 12 ­ 3. INTRODUCTION TO THE KARA-KOO AREA 15 3.1. Location 15 ­ 3.2. Description of a transect along altitudal zonation 16 ­ 3.3. Socio-economic situation 26 ­ 3.4. Tourism perspectives 27 ­ 4. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS 30 4.1. Objects of nature conservation value 30 ­ 4.2. Discussion of nature protection measures for the area of investigation 31 ­ 4.3. wildlife matrix zones (micro reserves) – new principles for the protection of ecosystems 33 ­ 4.4. Agenda setting 36 ­ 5. LITERATURE 40 6. ANNEXES I TABLES Table 1 site description of submontane semi-desert zone (after Gottschling, 2003) ..................22 ­ Table 2 site description montane dry-steppe zone of transect (after Gottschling, 2003)............23 ­ Table 3 site description montane steppe zone of transect (after Gottschling, 2003)..................24 ­ Table 4 vertebrates are represented by three types within the area of investigation.................25 ­ Table 5 conditions of villages in the area of investigation............................................................27 ­ Table 6 species of nature conservation value in the area of investigation...................................30 ­ Table 8 some of the priorities for political consulting on Issyk Kul Biosphere Reserve that has ­ been raising during the elaboration of the desk-study....................................................39 ­ MAPS Map 1 overview map of Biosphere Reserve Issyk Kul.....................................................................6 ­ Map 2 map of latest Biosphere Reserve Issyk-Kul zonation (revised by MSF 2013) ......................8 ­ Map 3 Relevant nature conservation areas (IUCN Ia, II and IV) in Central Asia and some ­ biodiversity indicators of international organizations, initiatives or conventions...........12 ­ Map 4 location of area of investigation ........................................................................................15 ­ Map 5 Distribution of vegetation in the area of investigation......................................................25 ­ Map 6 protected areas and strengthening efforts in Kara-koo area ............................................33 ­ SCHEMES Scheme 1 colline-desert zone of transect .....................................................................................19 ­ Scheme 2 submontane semi-desert zone of transect...................................................................21 ­ Scheme 3 montane dry-steppe zone of transect ..........................................................................23 ­ Scheme 4 montane steppe zone of transect.................................................................................24 ­ PICTURES Picture 1 Lake Issyk Kul shore from point of investigation area ..................................................16 ­ Picture 2 Lake Issyk Kul shore from point of investigation area ..................................................17 ­ Picture 3 ephedra communities ....................................................................................................17 ­ Picture 4 badlands .........................................................................................................................21 ­ Picture 5 badlands .........................................................................................................................21 ­ Potential for strengthening the coverage of the core zone of Biosphere Reserve Issyk-Kul 1. SUMMARY Kyrgyzstans’ unique natural landscapes, its history as an extraordinary tourism destination and its rich cultural traditions predestine the country for the establishment of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. The Biosphere Reserve Issyk Kul is one out of 23 biosphere reserves worldwide and the only one at the whole Eurasian continent whose establishment was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) (BMZ, 2011). Thus the German government cares a relevant responsibility to make the Biosphere Reserve Issyk Kul a success story. As model regions for sustainable development, biosphere reserves are regions where human interactions go along with the preservation of the cultural and ecological heritage. With 20 % of the state territory, the Kyrgyz UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Issyk-Kul covers an area, which reaches from the cost of the “hot lake”, along arid steppes and high mountain pastures up to the glaciers and the 7,000 m peaks of the Tian Shan. The broad diversity of landscapes makes sustainable development of the Biosphere Reserve a challenge. Therefore the administration cooperates with the provincial administration (Akim) on equal level. At national level the State Agency of Environment and Forests of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan has the responsibility for the biosphere reserves of the country. Recipients of the desk-study are the Biosphere Reserve administration, the State Agency for Environment and Forests, as well as the partner-NGO in Kyrgyzstan BIOM. The latter one has contributed fundamentally to the study. The study provides a technical basis with recommendations for further development of the Biosphere Reserve Issyk-Kul according to the Seville Strategy. A focus has been put on recommendations for a better protection of the arid coast area and badland back country of the south-western Issyk-Kul lake (near Kara-Koo village). For the preparation of the study, amongst others, the authors conducted interviews with the Biosphere Reserve administration, collected data during fieldwork and analyzed available literature. Discussions with experts have been showing the current state of affairs and built the basis for further recommendations. The most crucial one is, to apply a type of protected area, which secures the natural succession of devastated ecosystems, without principally eliminating the (partly touristic) anthropogenic use. In this way the study introduces the concept of the “wildlife matrix zone”, resp. “mini zapovedniks”. 1 Potential for strengthening the coverage of the core zone of Biosphere Reserve Issyk-Kul 1.1.