Integration of traditional practices and scientific methods, strengthening the capacity of local experts and raising awareness of residents to preserve biodiversity and ecology (Kulun-Ata State Nature Reserve, Konduk village, Osh Region).

Goal of the project

Integration of traditional mechanisms for the protection and conservation of nature along with government measures for the conservation and promotion of biodiversity in the Kulun-Ata nature reserve of the Osh province. Strengthening the technical equipment and information potential of local specialists. Raising awareness and involving residents of Konduk village in the environmental process to ensure sustainability of the project.

Place of implementation: Kulun-Ata State Nature Reserve, sacred place Kulun-Ata, Kara-Kulja district, Osh province.

 

Key events:

1) Conducting trainings for residents of the village of Konduk – schoolchildren, employees of the reserve, library, camp and other state structures with the aim of raising their awareness of climate change issues, the need to maintain and protect ecosystem biodiversity, as well as raising awareness of local challenges. These include the disposal of household waste, in particular plastic. As part of the training, attempts will be made to introduce a compost system for the disposal of organic waste from local households in the village of Konduk.

2) Field studies and data collection on sacred species of wild animals and birds of the reserve and sacred places of the Alai-Kuu valley to identify traditional mechanisms for the protection of sacred places and animals by local communities. The research material will be used to raise awareness and integrate traditional knowledge and approaches in maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem, preserving biodiversity and related cultural heritage. Publication can be widely used throughout the country.

3) The acquisition and installation of 4 portable transceivers (walkie-talkies) for 14 huntsmen, designed for operational and continuous communication throughout the reserve during monthly rounds of the territory; The acquisition and installation of 4 camera traps in the reserve in order to establish more careful monitoring of the variety and number of wild animals; These activities are necessary for the technical equipment of the Kulun-Ata  Reserve and for strengthening monitoring of biodiversity in the target zone.

Key partners and their role:

The management and employees of the Kulun-Ata State Reserve will actively assist and participate in the implementation of the project and will be direct recipients of the project benefits. Local residents of the village Konduk will be actively involved in the implementation of the project and will be the main informants during the field research and direct beneficiaries of the project. The National Commission for UNESCO in the Kyrgyz Republic will provide institutional support.  A network of sacred places guardians of Kyrgyzstan, as well as practitioners and holders of traditional knowledge will be involved in advising and implementing the project.

Project objectives

1) Create conditions for the scientific monitoring of the biodiversity of the Kulun-Ata Reserve by strengthening the technical equipment and information potential of local specialists;

2) To identify traditional mechanisms for the conservation and protection of nature, ecology and biodiversity through field research;

3) To conduct a series of trainings for local residents with the aim of integrating scientific and folk methods of protecting biodiversity and ecology. The main topics of the trainings: peoples’ ecology, biodiversity, ecosystem, convention on biodiversity, sustainable development, climate change, problems of household garbage in Alai-Kuu and the negative impact of human life on the environment. As a solution to the problem of organic waste, the project team will attempt to introduce a compost system among farms in the village of Konduk;

4) To publish a book on sacred species of animals of the reserve and the sacred places of the Alai-Kuu valley, as traditional mechanisms for the protection and conservation of nature (followed by distribution at the Nurmamat Sabyrkul uulu secondary school, Akun Toktosartov library and the pioneer camp in the village Konduk).