The objectives of Uzbekistan's National Strategy and Action Plan for the Conservation of Biological Diversity received official approval on February 8, marking a significant step towards safeguarding the nation's rich natural heritage, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change reported.

A pivotal meeting of the Coordinating Committee on the project "Global Biodiversity Program: Support for Early Action," jointly organized by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Program in Uzbekistan, and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, convened in Tashkent to address critical biodiversity conservation initiatives.

The primary goal of the project is to expedite readiness and early action for implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework for Biodiversity Conservation. By providing financial and technical support to countries, including Uzbekistan, the initiative aims to facilitate the harmonization of national biodiversity conservation programs, strategies, and action plans.

Khalilulla Sherimbetov, Head of the Natural Areas Department at the Ministry of Ecology, highlighted the evolution of Uzbekistan's biodiversity conservation efforts, citing previous national strategies adopted in 1998 and 2019. The current focus is on revising and enriching the strategy to align with new goals and objectives, specifically aimed at preserving biodiversity until 2030.

“The first national strategy and action program on biodiversity conservation in Uzbekistan was adopted in 1998, and the second in 2019. The tasks in this program were defined based on the objectives for 2010–2020. In the third program in 2022, new objectives were defined," Khalilulla Sherimbetov noted.

During the meeting, the Coordinating Committee approved key regulations, including its composition, the project report on completed work, and the action plan for 2024. Sergey Zagrebin, head of the "Global Biodiversity Program: Support for Early Action" project, emphasized the critical review of existing national goals and the strengthening of biodiversity protection and conservation efforts as pivotal project objectives.

“Within the framework of the project, we plan to review and analyze the existing monitoring system, biodiversity policy, and the relationship between various conventions to make recommendations on strengthening the protection and conservation of biodiversity,"  Sergey Zagrebin voiced.

An integral outcome of the committee meeting was the endorsement of the "Roadmap for the preparation and coordination of new target indicators for the National Strategy and Action Plan for the Conservation of Biological Diversity." This roadmap outlines the preparation of targets by 2024, aligning with the directives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework for Biodiversity (GBF).

The Kunming-Montreal Global Framework for Biodiversity, ratified by 190 countries on December 19, 2022, provides a comprehensive blueprint for global biodiversity action. Complementing the Paris Climate Agreement, the framework aims to achieve a climate-neutral, nature-positive, and sustainable world by 2050. It delineates actions to preserve and protect nature and its essential services by 2030.

To support countries in implementing the framework's goals, the Global Environment Facility has allocated funds for a global project, implemented in collaboration with UNDP and UNEP in 138 countries worldwide. This concerted effort underscores Uzbekistan's commitment to biodiversity conservation and its alignment with global environmental imperatives.

Biodiversity in Central Asia 

Biodiversity in Central Asia is extensive, serving as a vital reservoir for various domestic plants and hosting numerous indigenous species. Recognized as a crucial eco-region by the WWF, the region faces imminent threats from deforestation, industrialization, and population growth, jeopardizing its natural heritage. Compounded by socio-economic challenges, the region's inhabitants heavily rely on local agriculture for sustenance. Hence, the conservation of biodiversity must consider the well-being of present-day residents alongside preserving resources for future generations.

Central Asia's arid environment has historically relied on water for survival, further compounded by mismanagement during the Soviet era. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the region underwent significant political, economic, and governance transformations.

The declining biodiversity in Central Asia signals a broader crisis affecting ecosystem services. Addressing this issue is paramount to reversing detrimental trends. While projections indicate a potential increase in forested areas post-2050, lost species cannot be recovered, and the quality of regenerated forests may not match that of the original. As forests diminish, agricultural and grazing lands expand, leading to increased agricultural output. However, this growth comes at the expense of biodiversity and ecosystem integrity.

Uzbekistan 

Uzbekistan, a landlocked nation nestled within the Aral Sea basin in Central Asia, contends with rampant desertification and recurrent droughts. Its economic sectors intricately tied to biodiversity span irrigated agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, fishery, recreation, and tourism. Conversely, sectors like oil and gas, chemicals, water management, waste disposal, transportation infrastructure, and urban development exert adverse pressures on biodiversity. 

With nearly half of its population residing in rural areas, agriculture serves as a vital livelihood source, with over 90% of crops cultivated on irrigated land. Forests, covering a mere 7% of the territory, play crucial roles in safeguarding river basins, mitigating wind and sand erosion, and preserving biodiversity, alongside providing non-timber forest products like walnuts, fruits, and medicinal herbs that sustain rural communities.

Presently, agricultural, pastoral, and energy and mining activities significantly impact Uzbekistan's diverse ecosystems. Anthropogenic actions, coupled with shifting hydrological and climatic conditions, pose grave threats to various ecosystems, notably the plains, foothills, aquatic habitats, and riverbanks, particularly in regions like Priaralie and the Aral Sea basin. Tugai and floodplain ecosystems along major rivers are dwindling due to agricultural expansion and local utilization. Agricultural encroachment severely impacts foothill plains and adyrs in the western Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai ranges. The Ustyurt Plateau, harboring rare species, faces pressures from livestock grazing and mineral extraction, threatening its ecological integrity.

Habitat loss and degradation, dwindling species populations, and genetic erosion pose significant risks to Uzbekistan's biodiversity. The country's natural landscapes are under constant threat from human activities, accentuating the urgency for conservation efforts to preserve its rich biological heritage.

Kazakhstan 

Kazakhstan, boasting a vast territory comparable to Western Europe, showcases an extensive array of mountain ecosystems, owing to its expansive high-altitude zones. The country encompasses diverse natural conditions, ecosystems, and species, delineated into four primary ecological systems: forest (2% coverage), steppe (28%), desert (32%), and mountain (7%). The remaining landscape comprises pastures (8%), fallow lands (4%), and agricultural terrain. Kazakhstan hosts an impressive biodiversity, with over 6,000 species of higher vascular plants, 5,000 mushroom species, 485 lichen species, 2,000 seaweed species, 178 mammal species, 489 bird species, 12 amphibian species, and 104 fish species. 

Notably, mushrooms exhibit a significant level of endemism, with 3 endemic genera and 124 endemic species recorded in the country. The Chu-Iliski mountains harbor ancient fossils dating back 420 million years, offering valuable insights into the planet's flora evolution. Despite conservation efforts, numerous species face endangerment primarily due to habitat loss and hunting, with 125 vertebrate species (15%), 96 invertebrate species, 287 higher plant species (4.8%), and 85 insect species listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan. Endangered species like the Tran Caspian argali, Kazakhstan argali, saigas, and gazelles continue to decline, largely due to rampant poaching driven by socioeconomic disparities within local communities.

The main threats to biodiversity in Kazakhstan stem from various industrial activities, including oil and gas extraction, coal mining, uranium and mineral extraction, rock and slag runoff, atmospheric pollution, drainage, waste disposal, road and infrastructure development, and irrigation. These activities contribute to biodiversity loss through water, soil, and atmospheric contamination, alterations in habitat conditions, accumulation of radio nuclides in biota, spread of invasive species, and accumulation of heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and defoliants in the environment.

Kyrgyzstan 

Kyrgyzstan confronts significant biodiversity loss, primarily at the ecosystem level, driven by diverse human activities impacting various habitats. Foothill vegetation complexes, riparian areas, and sub-plain communities are notably affected, with the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic listing numerous endangered species, including mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, plants, and fungi. 

Livestock farming, central to the nation's economy, relies heavily on natural grasslands for feed, while forests, covering a modest percentage of the land, host vital genetic resources and endemic species. Efforts to foster ecotourism and conduct valuation studies on biodiversity reflect ongoing initiatives to preserve local culture and natural heritage. However, overgrazing, habitat encroachment, and mining activities pose significant threats to ecosystems, exacerbating biodiversity loss across the country.

In addition to habitat destruction, overgrazing, and encroachment, biodiversity faces challenges from poaching, overfishing, and pollution. The increasing presence of mining companies, especially in mountain regions, heightens concerns about habitat degradation, pollution, and the disruption of water catchment areas. 

Urgent action is needed to address these threats and safeguard Kyrgyzstan's rich biodiversity, recognizing its importance for ecological balance, local livelihoods, and cultural heritage. Collaborative efforts between government, local communities, and conservation organizations are crucial in implementing effective conservation strategies and ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources for generations to come.

Tajikistan 

Tajikistan, predominantly mountainous and encompassing 93% of its land area, presents diverse ecological zones ranging from plains to highlands and nival zones. While nearly 70% of its territory remains relatively unaffected by human activity, about 10% faces significant anthropogenic impact due to recent economic development, resulting in increased erosion and land degradation. The country heavily relies on agriculture, engaging 60% of its population, and has designated 25% of its land as Specially Protected Natural Territories (SPNTs) since 1983.

Tajikistan boasts considerable floral and faunal diversity, comprising 1.9% of the world's species, including 1,132 endemic species. With approximately 300 food plant species and a gene bank housing 3,000 specimens of grain, leguminous, and oil crops, the nation's botanical resources are noteworthy. Medicinal plants play a crucial role in traditional medicine, widely used across the population. The country hosts 81 mammal species, 385 bird species, 2 amphibian species, 49 fish species, and 12,000 invertebrate species, many of which are endemic. 

However, numerous species face extinction threats, with 226 rare and threatened plant species and 162 animal species listed in the Red Data Book. Despite efforts to combat habitat degradation and illegal wildlife trade, challenges persist, exacerbated by the lack of a comprehensive national monitoring system. Increased economic activity over the past years has intensified pressures on biodiversity, leading to deforestation, grassland degradation, overfishing, and habitat alteration, imperiling various species and ecosystems.

Turkmenistan 

Turkmenistan, primarily consisting of deserts (80%) and forests (20%), harbors a remarkable level of endemic biodiversity, positioning it as a key global center of genetic diversity. Identified as a conservation priority, the country's territory falls within one of the 200 global environmental regions delineated by the World Wildlife Fund. Notably, the mountain ecosystems of Kopetdag, Koytendag, and Badhyz, although covering less than 5% of the land area, serve as biodiversity hotspots, hosting ancient biological and cultural relics in isolated refuges. 

Turkmenistan boasts a rich biodiversity, with approximately 3,140 higher plants, 3,924 lower plants, and around 13,000 animal species, with two-thirds of vertebrates concentrated in the mountains and foothills. Agricultural ecosystems in the country support 172 species of wild relatives of vegetative cultures, including various fruit crops and leguminous plants.

Despite recent conservation efforts, Turkmenistan has witnessed the disappearance of numerous flora and fauna species, leading to alarmingly low population sizes for certain species like the Small Amudarya Shovel-Nose Sturgeon and Marbled Teal. The decline in species diversity among waterfowl along the Turkmen Caspian Sea coast and wintering birds reflects a broader trend of biodiversity loss. 

The National Red Data Book (1999) registers 261 species as critically endangered or rare, including animals and plants, while the latest edition of the IUCN International Red List (2007) includes 119 fauna species and 11 endangered arboreal plants. Despite these challenges, there's a lack of an assessment mechanism for protected areas and the benefits derived from biodiversity conservation, hindering the full recognition of their economic and cultural contributions. Habitat degradation, invasive species, resource overconsumption, insecure oil and gas exploration, and climate change pose significant threats to Turkmenistan's biodiversity.

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