In commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Global Program for the Protection of Snow Leopards and Ecosystems, Kyrgyzstan is at the forefront of preserving the crucial mountain ecosystem, covering one-third of the global territory, as per President Sadyr Japarov's announcement during a video address to the COP28 plenary session. Highlighting the significance of the snow leopard as an indicator of ecosystem stability, the President emphasized the central role of the Central Asian region in this conservation effort.
“The snow leopard is one of the rarest and largest predators in Kazakhstan, included in the Red Book of our country in 1978. It is the state symbol of the Republic and has great social significance, reflecting the priceless natural and cultural heritage of the Kazakh people," Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev said.
To preserve global biodiversity, Kazakhstan established an extensive network of protected natural areas, covering over 29.3mn hectares, equivalent to 10.7% of the nation's total area. Recent initiatives, under the GEF-UNDP project on forest ecosystems, include comprehensive studies on snow leopard populations, their food sources, and analytical activities. The species' key habitat areas undergo annual surveys using camera traps.
While instances of poaching and illegal trade in snow leopard derivatives have declined in recent years, challenges persist, notably the impact of human settlements near mountainous areas. The Minister highlighted the delicate balance required between developing ecotourism in protected natural areas and safeguarding animal habitats.
“Our country, like other countries in Central Asia, belongs to the group of countries most vulnerable to climate change. In recent years, changes have become more and more noticeable in the region: temperature fluctuations, cold and heat waves are increasing, droughts are becoming more common, and water shortages are increasing,” Minister Nyssanbayev stressed the urgency of addressing these challenges to ensure the continued preservation of the snow leopard and its habitat.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)