Tajikistan State of the Environment Report - 2000

In-situ conservation

Tigrovaya balka. Established in 1938. Area - 49,7 thousand ha. The territory of nature reserve includes lower reaches of the Vahsh river, within the foothills of Kazian and Buritau mountain ridges at the altitudes of 320-700 meters above sea level. Prevailing landscape - flat delta terrace of the Vahsh river width up to 7 km. It includes more than 10 lakes and bogs with predominance of tugai forests as well as desert and foothill ecosystems of southern Tajikistan including agroecosystems. Forested area is about 16.000 ha. Primary goal of protected area – study and conservation of the ecosystems presented here. The title of reservation “Tigrovaya balka” was kept as a reminder on the former rather big population of Turan tigers here. Last one is disappeared in summer of 1954. Some rare and endangered species of plants may be found here: Usmania campylopoda, Seidlitzia rozmarinus, Cousinia agelocephala, etc. Fauna of Tigrovaya balka nature reserve is very diverse. Up to 20 species of fishes, including 3 rare species, such as Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmannii, Aspiolucius esocinus and Barbus brachycephalus may be found here. The following mammals are typical for local ecosystems: Bukhara red deer Cervus elaphus bactrianus, goitred gazelle Gazella subgutturosa, wild boar Sus scrofa, jungle cat Felis chaus oxiana, striped hyena Hyaena hyaena, jackal Canis aureus, marbled polecat Vormela peregusna, several species of shrews Sorex, tolai hare Lepus tolai, Indian crested porcupine Hystrix leucura satunini, etc. Amphibians are presented by green toad Bufo viridis and march frog Rana ridibunda. More then 35 species of reptiles inhabit here, including Turkestan plate-tailed gecko Teratoscincus scincus, toad-headed agama Phrynocephalus mystaceus, desert monitor Varanus griseus, rapid fringe-toed lizard Eremias velox, sand race runner Eremias scripta, geckos Teratoscincus, water snake Natrix natrix, Central Asian cobra Naja oxiana, saw-scaled viper Echis carinatus. Unfortunately, numerous cases of poaching, fires, pressure factors, intensive agricultural activity and river pollution have resulted here in a severe degradation of natural complexes of reservation.

Ramit. Established in 1959. Area - 16,1 thousand ha. Reservation is situated on the southern slopes of Gissar mountain ridge, within the Ramit gorge. Split rocky landscape with an elevation from 1200 to 3200 meters above sea level characterizes the territory of reservation. Forested area is less 3 thousand ha. Primary goal of protected area – conservation of mid-mountain and high-mountain ecosystems of central Tajikistan. Flora of reservation includes few rare and endangered species of plants - Thuja orientalis, Ostrowskia magnifica, Cousinia leptocampyla, Iris Hoogiana, etc. Fauna of reservation is very diverse and includes green toad Bufo viridis, water snake Natrix natrix, Levantine viper Vipera lebetina, geckos and snake-eyed skinks Ablepharus, golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos, griffon vulture Gypaetus fulvus, bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus, kestrel Falco tinnunculus, woodpecker Dendrocopos, cuckoo Cuculus canorus, stone marten Martes foina, lynx Felis lynx isabellina, snow leopard Panthera uncia uncia, brown bear Ursus arctos isabelinus, wolf Canis lupus, fox Vulpes vulpes, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica, Bukhara red deer Cervus elaphus bactrianus, etc. However, armed hostilities that took place in 1992-1996-s on the territory of reservation, have negatively pressured the condition of ecosystems, flora and fauna of reservation. After recovery of reservation in 1997, the preliminary registrations have shown the decrease of number of Bukhara red deer from 150-200 animals in 1991 to 6-8 animals in 1997. Possibly, the Bukhara red deer has completely vanished here. It should be mentioned that forested area was reduced by more 15%. Unauthorized occupation of reservation’s areas by local population leads to the loosing of its total effectiveness. It is extremely important to rehabilitate Ramit nature reserve.

Dashtijum. Established in 1983. Area - 19,7 thousand ha. Reservation is situated on the southern slopes of Khazratishoh mountain ridge. An original rocky landscape with an elevation from 850 to 2400 meters above sea level characterizes the territory of reservation. Primary goal of protected area – preservation of original mid-mountain ecosystems of central and southeast Tajikistan. Forested area is about 3 thousand ha. Flora of reservation includes few rare and endangered species of plants - Fissidens karataviensis, Ostrowskia magnifica, Iris darwasica, Crocus Korolkovii, Juno Nickolai, Allium Rosenbachianum, Allium Suworovii, Eremurus Aitchisonii, Petilium Eduardii, etc. The largest population of markhor Capra falconeri inhabits this reserve. Also on the territory of reservation the following species has been registered: Himalayan rock agama Stelio himalayanus, geckos and snake-eyed skinks Ablepharus, water redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus, blue (Himalayan) whistling thrush Myiophoneus caeruleus, see-see partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis, snow cock Tetraogallus, peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus, wolf Canis lupus, fox Vulpes vulpes, etc. It should be mentioned that the number of mammals in reservation for the last few years reduced insignificantly - just for 8-10%. Until this moment there is no data on the complete inventory of flora and fauna on the reserve's territory.

Zeravshansky. Established in 1976. Area - 2,38 thousand ha. Average elevation 890 – 980 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – conservation of pheasant population (Phasianus colchicus zerafshanicus Tarn.) and its typical habitat – tugai ecosystem. At present, the total number of pheasants in reserve does not apparently exceed 70 birds. For the few last years, same experiments on the Bukhara red deer acclimatization were carried out here. Unfortunately, tugai ecosystems are still in danger here.

Karatau. Established in 1972. Area - 14,4 thousand ha. Average elevation 700 - 1500 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – conservation of the piedmont low-herb tall and pistachio-almond light forests ecosystems. The goitred gazelle Gazella subgutturosa and urical muflon Ovis vignei bochariensis are subject to protection. Xerophytic light forest of Karatau is unique in republic, as the age of many pistachio trees here exceeds 600 years. However, ecosystems of reserve are still in danger caused by poaching, overgrazing and frequent illegal forest cuttings.

Nureksky. Established in 1984. Area - 30 thousand ha. Average elevation 1500 - 2900 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – conservation of ecosystems in a zone of creation of Nurek water reservoir and analysis of their further evolution. On the territory of reserve such spices as snow leopard Panthera uncia uncia, brown bear Ursus arctos isabelinus, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica, etc are protected. The number of animals here was recently reduced as a result of disturbing factors and poaching.

Almasinsky. Established in 1983. Area - 6,0 thousand ha. Average elevation 1700 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – preservation of habitats of Ungernia Victoris that is rare environmentally and economically significant plant included into the Red data list of Tajikistan.

Aktashsky. Established in 1977. Area - 15,0 thousand ha. Average elevation 1800 - 3300 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area - preservation and restoration of the unique complex of juniper forests and arboreal-shrub and herbal vegetation. Old abandoned drifts are also objects to protection as they serve as convenient sites for the mass wintering of bats. The following animals are presented here: Menzbier's marmot Marmota menzbieri, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica, Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus, red kite Milvus milvus, kestrel, white-throated dipper Cinclus cinclus, Levantine viper Vipera lebetina, Central Asian tortoise Agrionemys horsfieldi, etc.

Dashtijum. Established in 1972. Area - 50,1 thousand ha. Primary goal of protected area - preservation of natural population of markhor Copra falconeri. Other objects to protection are unique light forest ecosystems and such species of animals as snow leopard Panthera uncia uncia, brown bear Ursus arctos isabelinus, etc.

Iskanderkul. Established in 1969. Area - 30,0 thousand ha. Average elevation 2000 - 3500 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – conservation of mid-mountain and high-mountain ecosystems of central Tajikistan. The following animals are presented here: loach, muddier, green toad, water snake, Himalayan rock agama, geckos, Central Asian viper, Levantine viper, wood pigeon, blue hill pigeon, rock pigeon, white-capped water redstart, Himalayan sparrow-hawk, kestrel, golden eagle, bearded vulture, black vulture as well as weasel, ermine, stone marten, lynx, snow leopard, wolf, fox, tolai hare, long-tailed marmot, Indian crested porcupine, Siberian ibex, Turkestan red pika, forest dormouse, etc.

Sayivatinsky. Established in 1972. Area - 4,1 thousand ha. Average elevation 1300 - 3300 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – conservation and restoration of the unique juniper forests.

Kusavlisay. Established in 1959. Area - 19,8 thousand ha. Average elevation 2800 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – conservation and restoration of the unique juniper forests. It is scheduled on the basis of Kusavlisay habitat to organize the “Juniper forest” national park, with an area of 60 thousand ha.

Sari-hisor. Established in 1959. The initial area - 40 thousand ha. Since 1979 the area has been extended to 196 thousand ha. Since the same time, in view of development of the South-Tajik territorial cattle-breeding complex the Sari-hisor protected area exists only conditionally. Average elevation 1400 - 4000 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – conservation of mid-mountain and high-mountain ecosystems, especially broad-leaved forests. It is scheduled on the basis of Sari-hisor habitat to organize the “Ursine forest” national park, with an area of 80 thousand ha. Unfortunately, at present time, wide cuttings of unique broad-leaved forests are clearly observed, all ecosystems are pressured by intensive anthropogenic factors.

Komarou. Established in 1970. Area - 9 thousand ha. Average elevation 1500 - 2600 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – conservation of mid-mountain ecosystems, including rare and endangered species of animals such as snow leopard Panthera uncia uncia, brown bear Ursus arctos isabelinus, etc.

Childuhtaron. Established in 1970. Area - 14,6 thousand ha. Average elevation 1200 - 2600 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – conservation of mid-mountain ecosystems and landscape-geologic monument Childuhtaron. Few rare and endangered species as snow leopard Panthera uncia uncia, brown bear Ursus arctos isabelinus, lynx Felis lynx isabellina are protected here.

Sangvorsky. Established in 1970. Area - 50,9 thousand ha. Average elevation 2300 - 4500 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – integrated conservation of all presented here ecosystems (10 types of mid-mountain and high-mountain ecosystems of Central Tajikistan and Pamirs). Many rare and endangered species of animals such as peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus, snow leopard Panthera uncia uncia, brown bear Ursus arctos isabelinus and especially endemic Sorex buchariensis (Insectivora) are protected here.

Zorkul. Established in 1972. Area - 16,5 thousand ha. Average elevation 4100 - 4200 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – conservation of habitats of rare and endangered species of birds such as bar-headed goose Anser indicus, brown-headed gull Larus brunnicephalus, Himalayan snow cock Tetraogallus himalayensis, Tibetan snow cock Tetraogallus tibetanus, etc. Besides, some rare and endangered mammal species are protected here: Marco Polo's sheep Ovis ammon polii, snow leopard Panthera uncia uncia, etc.

Muzkol. Established in 1972. Area - 66,9 thousand ha. Average elevation 3300 - 5700 meters above sea level. Primary goal of protected area – integrated conservation of Pamirs high-mountain ecosystems, including rare and endangered species: Marco Polo's sheep Ovis ammon polii, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica, snow leopard Panthera uncia uncia, Himalayan snow cock Tetraogallus himalayensis, Tibetan snow cock Tetraogallus tibetanus, Himalayan griffon Gyps himalayensis, bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus hemachalanus, brown-headed gull Larus brunnicephalus and others.

National and natural-historical parks.

Shirkent natural-historical park. Established in 1991. Area - 31,9 thousand ha. Average elevation 800 - 4500 meters above sea level. The park lies within the territory of Shirkent river watershed, on the southern slopes of Gissar mountain ridge. The boundaries of park are limited by Machetly and Gissar mountain ridges on the north, Obizarang and Karatag rivers on the west and east. The landscape of Shirkent park differs by contrast forms. Geological basis of its territory consists of Paleozoic sedimentary-metamorphic and igneous rocks as well as Carbon granitoids and other rocks. On the territory of Shirkent park more than 30 regular watercourses have been registered. Main water channel is Shirkent river, length is about 47 km, average water discharge is 10 m³/sec. Maximum water flow is observed in May (26 m³/sec) and minimum in December (2 m³/sec). Main type of soils is brown mountain soils at the altitude from 1600 to 2600 meters above sea level. There are 8 types of ecosystems have been identified in the Shirkent park. Flora consists of broad-leaved and juniper forests, xerophytic light forests, meadows, alpine grasslands, steppes, low-herd tall savannoids and other plant associations. Fauna of Shirkent park is very diverse and includes 30 species of mammals, 40 species of wintering birds, 55 species of migratory birds. Some of typical animal species are snow leopard Panthera uncia uncia, brown bear Ursus arctos isabelinus, wolf Canis lupus, fox Vulpes vulpes, golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos, griffon vulture Gypaetus fulvus, bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus, kestrel Falco tinnunculus, woodpecker Dendrocopos, etc. Shirkent park is characterized by the series of 40 unique historical-geological monuments, including geomorphologic, lithologic, paleontologic, tectonic, hydrologic, glacial and historical monuments. Most important objects are the three different age places of dinosaur’s footprints, totally more than 400 footprints. The monuments of human history include more 50 archeological objects and some monuments of ethnography. At present, this park does not operate. The effective measures are needed to rehabilitate recreational activities and full functioning of park.

Tajik national park. Established in 1992. Area - approximately 1,6 million ha. Average elevation 1400 - 7495 meters above sea level. Park boundaries are still under development. The park lies on the territory of central and eastern Tajikistan within Pamirs and Tian-Shan mountains. Tajik national park encompasses rather big mid-mountain and high-mountain territories, which conclude 14 types of ecosystems and numerous natural monuments as well. It should be mentioned that park’s territory includes largest Fedchenko glacier (area 907 km², length 77 km), highest Samani peak (formerly peak of Communism, height 7495 meters above sea level), two seven thousand peaks Lenin (7134 meters) and Korjenevskoi (7105 meters), deepest Sarezskoe lake (area 86,5 km², depth 495 meters, altitude 3239 meters above sea level), and other numerous remarkable objects. More than 2.000 species of vascular plants, including 160 endemic, rare and endangered species of plants are registered on the park’s territory. Local fauna is rich and diverse. Fauna includes argali Ovis ammon pollii, snow leopard Panthera uncia uncia, brown bear Ursus arctos isabelinus, Tibetan snow cock Tetraogallus tibetanus, Tibetan sand grouse Syrrhaptes tibetana, etc.

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