Natural Reserves & National Parks in Kyrgyzstan
KYRGYZ ATA NATIONAL PARK
Kyrgyz Ata National Park is 40 km from the city of Osh, on the northern slope of the Alai Range. Its territory is located at medium altitudes. Juniper forests are well-preserved in the park. The park has an area of 11172 hectares. It was created to preserve the flora and fauna of the Pamir-Alai mountain system. The territory of the park is suitable for outdoor activities.
BESH TASH NATIONAL PARK
Besh Tash National Park is 13 km from Talas and located on both sides of the Besh Tash river. The park, with an overall area of 32411 hectares, is home to rare plant and animal species included in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic, such as argali, Turkestan lynx, snow leopards, golden eagles, Himalayan vultures, and saker falcons. There is a high altitude lake (2997 meters high, 28 meters deep) with the same name. Osman, marinka, and trout are some of the different fish that can be found in the lake, along with the rainbow trout found in the Besh Tash river.
ARSLANBOB WALNUT FORESTS
The walnut forests of Arslanbob are a rare masterpiece of nature with their beauty and diversity of plant species. This picturesque area is located 50 kilometers north of the city of Jalal Abad. The territory, with an overall area of 608,500 hectares is home to 130 different tree and shrub species. The most common plants are walnut trees, providing 200-400 kg of fruit per year. A common legend says that Alexander the Great came to these lands in 329 BC and was so delighted by the taste of the nuts, he brought them back home and cultivated them, later spreading them all throughout Greece.
SARKENT NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE
The Sarkent National Nature Reserve is located in the Leilek district of Bakten province. The park covers an area of 40,000 hectares. It was established to preserve the biological diversity of natural systems and is home to animals listed in the Red Book, such as brown bears, snow leopards, lynxes, golden eagles, saker falcons, and Himalayan vultures. The landscape is characterized by juniper forests. The reserve contains five different lakes.
SARYCHAT-EERTASH STATE RESERVE
The Sarychat-Eеrtash State Reserve is situated in the Jeti-Oguz district of the Issyk-Kul province, covering the basins of the Sarychat and Bordu rivers on the southern slope of Teskei Ala-Too. The territory of the reserve has an area of 72080 hectares. The primary task of the reserve is preservation of the alpine ecosystems and endangered species such as mountain sheep, alpine ibex, snow leopards, etc.
NARYN STATE RESERVE
The Naryn State Reserve is located in the eastern part of the Naryn province. Its territory begins at the source of the Naryn River and covers a hillside forest of the Naryn-Too mountain range. The total area of the reserve is about 24,969 hectares, aside from the nearby 53,388 hectares of land that is also under environmental protection. The primary task of the reserve is protection and conservation of region’s flora and fauna. It is home to 1870 plant and 50 animal species. The most commonly found plants are spruce, rowan, willow, juniper, wild rose, and currants. Deer, mountain goats, mountain sheep, bears, wolves, snow leopards, lynxes, and martens are just some of the animals protected by the reserve.
ALA-ARCHA NATIONAL PARK
Located at an altitude of 1500-4895 meters above sea level, 41 km from Bishkek, and occupying an area of approximately 20 hectares, the Ala-Archa National Park includes all landscape and climatic zones. A river with the same name flows through the gorge. The beautiful landscape and richness of flora and fauna in the park allows it to be used for hiking, recreation, and leisure all year round.
