The Kyrgyz Republic has established an 800,000-hectare ecological corridor—the largest of its kind in the country—to enhance biodiversity conservation and support climate resilience. This corridor connects existing protected areas, including Khan-Tengri National Park and Naryn Nature Reserve, forming a contiguous conservation zone exceeding 1.2 million hectares.
Key Highlights:
- Wildlife Protection: The corridor safeguards critical migration routes for species such as the snow leopard (classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List), Asiatic ibex, and argali sheep, which are threatened by habitat degradation and climate change.
- Sustainable Land Use: In collaboration with local herders, grazing within the corridor will be reduced by approximately 15,000 sheep—about a 23% decrease—to allow pasture recovery and provide grazing opportunities for wildlife.
- Community Engagement: The initiative involved ecological modeling by Humboldt University and the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, with UNEP’s support. Community consultations ensured local support and integration of traditional land-use practices.
- Regional Model: This corridor serves as a pioneering example in Central Asia, demonstrating how ecological connectivity can be achieved while balancing conservation goals with sustainable livelihoods.
The Kyrgyz Republic plans to incorporate ecological corridors into broader national policies, including pasture development and hunting regulations, to further support biodiversity conservation. Monitoring systems will be implemented to assess pasture use and ecological health.
