Degree of Master of

Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve as a model for biodiversity

conservation

1. Background

The Nuratau Mountains with adjacent Kyzylkum desert and Aydar-Arnasay lakes system are extremely unique and vulnerable ecosystems. Taking into account the increasing environmental threats such as desertification, biodiversity degradation, unsustainable use of water resources and land use, the Government of Uzbekistan with support of the members of Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) had been working on research in the respective topic since 1993. The preparation of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project proposal focused on biodiversity conservation started in 1998 and approval was received in 2000 (UNEP 2007).

2. Strategy

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The main goal of the project was to elaborate a new, more durable approach to biodiversity conservation in Uzbekistan by directly linking wildlife conservation with rural development. It should be noted that the project, focused on initiation of this biosphere reserve, has been implemented by the government of Uzbekistan, Global Ecology Fund and UN Development Program. The Project is also co-financed by German Union of Nature Protection.
The project was completed in 2007 and nowadays it is planning to include this biosphere reserve in the UNESCO global net of biosphere reserves. Currently, the experience gained from organizing this reserve is taken into account for the further research in founding biosphere reserves in the Central Kyzylkum Desert, in the Southern Ustyurt Desert, in the tugai woods of the river Amudarya and in other unique locations of Uzbekistan.

3. Description

Creation of the Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve in 2007 was one of first projects in Uzbekistan that was intending to integrate conservation and local communities needs.
Basically, this biosphere reserve is considered to be a very remarkable example of contemporary environmental model of protection in both Uzbekistan and Central Asia.
The Nuratau Nature Reserve is one of fifteen nature reserves of Uzbekistan. It is located in the Nuratau-Mountains at the semi-desert edges of the Aydarkul-Lake (Figure 16). The Nuratau mountain area reaches an altitude up to 2,200 meters. It should be pointed out that the Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve is integration already two functioning reserves: Nurata Reserve, and Arnasay Ornithological Reserve on Lake Tuzkan.

Figure 16. Geographical location of the Nuratay-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve (UNEP 2007)

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The mountains, the semi-desert, the lake and the desert form a unique landscape with an extremely varied biodiversity of flora and fauna. The flora and fauna of the biosphere reserve, many species of which are included into the Red Book of Uzbekistan, are under strict control. The area is therefore composed of four different ecosystems that are representative for the Central Asian region. There are 1,200 plant families native to the mountain area and about 300 to the desert area. The fauna is composed of more than 250 bird, 29 reptile and 35 different mammal species, among them species that are threatened by extinction. For example, among the birds from the Red Book the following species are the rarest: golden eagle, bearded vulture, black griffon-vulture and other rare birds (Tacis programme 2006).
The biosphere reserve Nuratau-Kyzylkum is physically structured into three zones. A 57,100 hectare core zone is dedicated for long-term protection of nature and landscape without any human use. In the 164,524 hectare adjoining buffer zone only considerate land use by humans, which is compatible with the proposed goals of the biosphere reserve, is
allowed. In the outer 851,524 hectare development zone procedures for sustainable resource management are to be developed and promoted.
Besides having their distinctive features, these zones have the features typical both of the wildlife and of the populated areas of Central Asia. They represent various historical and archeological monuments, cultural and natural realms, traditional economy methods and living standards (UNEP 2007).

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