In Kyrgyzstan, several key transport corridors of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) pass through specially protected natural areas (SPNA). These corridors integrate the country into international transport networks, but their routes cross environmentally sensitive areas, which require special attention to issues of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Four of the six CAREC priority transport corridors pass through the territory of Kyrgyzstan
1. Corridor 2: Mediterranean – East Asia (via Irkeshtam, Osh, Andijan, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara)
2. Corridor 3: Russia – Middle East and South Asia (via Semey, Almaty, Bishkek, Osh, Sary-Tash, Karamyk, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran)
3. Corridor 5: East Asia – Middle East and South Asia (via Irkeshtam, Sary-Tash, Karamyk, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan)
4. Corridor 6: Europe – Middle East and South Asia
These routes pass through key natural areas, including national parks, nature reserves and biosphere reserves, which require a special approach to the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects.
There are several biosphere territories in Kyrgyzstan, such as:
– Sary-Chelek National Park is located in the western part of the country, famous for its lake and diversity of flora and fauna.
– Ala-Archa National Park is located near Bishkek and is a popular place for ecotourism and protection of mountain ecosystems.
– The Barskaun Nature Reserve is located in the Issyk-Kul region, known for its unique nature and biodiversity.
These areas play an important role in the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, and are also valuable sites for eco-tourism.
Environmental challenges and sustainable development
The design and construction of transport corridors through such sensitive natural areas requires careful environmental impact assessment. It is important to consider possible consequences for ecosystems, such as habitat fragmentation, pollution of water bodies and disruption of animal migration routes.
To minimize the negative impact it is necessary:
Conduct environmental assessments at all stages of project implementation.
Develop and implement measures for nature protection and ecosystem restoration.
Ensure monitoring of the state of the environment during the operation of infrastructures.
Thus, the integration of Kyrgyzstan into international transport networks must be accompanied by a responsible approach to nature conservation and sustainable development, which will ensure a harmonious combination of economic interests and the preservation of the countries’ unique natural heritage.
CAREC Transport Corridor 1 “Europe – East Asia” passes through several specially protected natural areas in various countries. Let’s look at some of them:
Kazakhstan
– Charyn State National Natural Park: Located in the south-eastern part of Kazakhstan, it is known for its unique canyons and diversity of flora and fauna.
Kyrgyzstan
– Sary-Chelek State Biosphere Reserve: Located on the southern slopes of the Chatkal ridge, it includes unique landscapes and the high-mountain lake Sary-Chelek. Since 1979, it has been part of the international network of UNESCO biosphere reserves.
– Besh-Aral State Reserve: Located in the Chatkal Valley, it is the habitat of rare species, including the Menzbir marmot, listed in the IUCN Red Book.
– Naryn State Reserve: Located in the Inner Tien Shan, it protects tracts of mountain spruce forests and high-mountain ecosystems, including the population of the Semirechye red deer.
The design and construction of infrastructure near or through these protected areas requires careful environmental assessment and the development of measures to minimize environmental impact.
CAREC Transport Corridor 2 “Mediterranean – East Asia” covers important routes connecting China, Central Asia, the South Caucasus and the Middle East. However, information on the presence of specially protected natural areas (SPNA) directly along this corridor is limited.
Main sections of the CAREC Corridor 2
The corridor includes the following key routes
– China – Irkeshtam – Osh – Andijan – Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Caspian ports. In particular, the Osh-Sarytash-Irkeshtam section, 258 km long, was completed in 2012 and ensures safe movement of vehicles.
– China – Irkeshtam – Sarytash – Karamyk – Tajikistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan. This section was also completed in 2012 and has a length of 204 km.
Protected natural areas along the corridor
Conservation areas may be located along the CAREC Route 2, especially in mountainous and desert regions. For example:
– Turkmenistan.
The Kaplankyr Nature Reserve, located on the border with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, is a transboundary protected area.
– Uzbekistan.
The Koytendag Nature Reserve in the east of the country borders the Surkhan Nature Reserve in Turkmenistan, forming a transboundary protected area.
However, specific data on the presence of specially protected natural areas directly along the CAREC Route 2 is limited. To obtain more accurate information, it is recommended to contact national environmental authorities or international environmental organizations involved in monitoring protected areas in the region.
CAREC Transport Corridor 3 “Russian Federation – South Asia and the Middle East” passes through vast territories of Russia, including Siberia and the Far East, and connects it with the states of South Asia and the Middle East. Along this route there are many specially protected natural areas (SPNA), many of which have transboundary status and are part of international environmental projects.
Transboundary specially protected natural areas
– Ubsunur Basin: Located at the junction of Russia, Mongolia and China, this transboundary territory includes the Russian Ubsunur Basin Nature Reserve in the Republic of Tyva. In 2022, it was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
– Daurian steppes: At the intersection of the borders of Russia, Mongolia and China there is an international reserve that unites the Russian “Daursky” reserve, the Mongolian “Mongolian Dauur” and the Chinese “Dalainor”. This area is known for its unique biodiversity and is important for preserving the migratory routes of many species.
– Great Altai: Created in 2017, the transboundary biosphere reserve “Great Altai” unites the territories of Russia and Kazakhstan, including the Katon-Karagaisky National Natural Park and the Katunsky Biosphere Reserve.
– Landscapes of Dauria: This transboundary site includes the territories of Russia, Mongolia and China, uniting the Daursky (Russia), Mongol Dauur (Mongolia) and Dalainor (China) nature reserves. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
– Lake Khanka: Lake Khanka is located on the border of Russia and China, for the protection of which a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the two countries. This cooperation aims to preserve the lake’s ecosystem and its biodiversity.
Nature conservation and sustainable management
In recent years, Central Asian countries have been actively working to expand and strengthen their protected areas. In Uzbekistan, for example, protected areas occupy 14% of the country’s total area. Work is underway to expand them, improve the material and technical base and develop scientific potential.
In addition, the countries of the region are actively developing eco-tourism and cooperating in the field of conservation of rare species. In Tajikistan, thanks to regulated trophy hunting, it was possible to increase the population of markhors (markhored goats), listed in the Red Book.
Thus, along the CAREC Transport Corridor 3 there are many protected areas that play a key role in conserving biodiversity and maintaining the environmental sustainability of the regions through which this route passes.
CAREC Transport Corridor 5 “East Asia – Middle East and South Asia” passes through key regions including China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. This route is an important link for multimodal transport and promotes economic integration between East Asia and South Asia.
Specially Protected Areas along CAREC Corridor 5
Kyrgyzstan
– Besh-Aral State Reserve: Located in the western part of the Chatkal Valley, this reserve protects the unique ecosystems of the region. In 2016, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Tajikistan
– Gissar Reserve: Located in the central part of Tajikistan and is an important site for the conservation of mountain ecosystems.
Afghanistan
– Bamiyan National Park: Located in the central part of the country, known for its historical monuments and natural landscapes.
Pakistan
– Himalaya National Park: Covering part of the western Himalayas, it is home to many rare species of flora and fauna.
These specially protected natural areas play a key role in preserving the region’s biodiversity and ecosystems. However, it is important to note that the development of transport infrastructure must take into account environmental aspects in order to minimize the impact on these valuable natural sites.