Problem No. 1: melting glaciers
Nothing worries Kyrgyzstan more than the disappearance of its main reserve: water, stored in the Tian Shan and Pamir glaciers. These glaciers, which supply the country with water and electricity, number 6,500 across the Kyrgyz mountains, including the Inylchek glacier, one of the world's largest at 54 km in length. The alarm bells went off in 2008, with a study showing that the last thirty years had seen the volume of Kyrgyz glaciers melt by almost 15%, and that they now occupy just over 5% of the country's total surface area. Even more worryingly, according to a study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), no less than 30% of glaciers have disappeared by the year 2000. The main culprit: global warming and the 0.8°C rise in average temperatures in the country since 2000. This increase will eventually lead to significant changes in the behavior of lakes, rivers and related ecosystems. In winter 2019, Bishkek experienced particularly worrying pollution peaks (102 days out of 150 exceeding recommended standards) and in 2020, Bishkek was regularly among the Top 3 most polluted cities in the world.
No local solution
Kyrgyzstan does not have the means to combat this phenomenon alone, even though it affects all the other countries in the region: water from Kyrgyz glaciers supplies water to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, which are major consumers, particularly of cotton. In the Ferghana Valley, the region's most heavily cultivated area, some crops have already been jeopardized by lack of water in summer, both in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Kyrgyzstan signed the Kyoto Protocol on May 13, 2003, but unfortunately the country does not necessarily have the means to meet all its commitments. The government is therefore stepping up efforts to create new artificial water reserves, reduce wastage, reduce carbon impact and increase the surface area of national parks. Since 2023, Kyrgyzstan has been trying to "recreate" glaciers by diverting water from springs and gushing it to the top of existing glaciers to freeze. But the task is immense!
A rich and varied flora
The Kyrgyz mountains are particularly rich in flowers, mushrooms and medicinal plants. In the mountain base camps, you'll often eat freshly-picked mushrooms, usually accompanied by marmot meat. Up to 3,000 m, the Tian Shan and Pamir mountain ranges are covered with meadows alternating with areas of forest, home to a huge variety of trees: aspen, apple, juniper, mulberry, apricot... The verdant high-altitude meadows of the Terskey Ala-Too are summer pastures for flocks of sheep and horses. In spring, thousands of wild flowers invade their slopes: tulips, irises, anemones, peonies and more. As you leave your yurt near Song Kul or Ala Kul lakes, you can bend down to pick the magnificent edelweiss, which grow in whole fields in summer. The mountain foothills and the Ferghana valley, where the Syr Darya and Zeravshan rivers flow, are home to forests of wild walnut trees, some of which, according to legend, Alexander the Great brought back to Greece. In the bazaars of the south of the country, pistachios, almonds and walnuts bear witness to the region's exceptional wealth. The walnut and almond forests around Arslanbob are reputed to be among the most extensive in the world.
An endangered fauna, but still alive
Kyrgyzstan is home to a huge variety of altitude-adapted animals. The alpine pastures are home to golden marmots, whose whistles echo through the valleys, sousliks, foxes, ermines, snow cocks and partridges. Any hike above 2,000 metres will bring you into contact with this peaceful animal population. Above 3,500 meters, we enter the realm of larger mammals and predators, led by two species specific to Central Asia: the marco polo, a wild sheep with large spiral horns, and the snow leopard (also found in the Himalayas and Siberia), which can live at altitudes of over 5,000 meters. Both are, of course, much rarer to observe, and in the case of the snow leopard it has become virtually mission impossible (see below). Low human density, abundant water and vast open spaces have also enabled the adaptation of animal species from neighbouring regions: ibex from the Himalayas, brown bears from northern Eurasia, lynx, wolves... On a trip to Kyrgyzstan, probably in summer, you'll have very little chance of coming into contact with them, as these predators have no trouble finding food on the summits. In winter, they invade the valleys, and it's not uncommon to come across them prowling around villages in search of a lost animal.
A star in danger: the snow leopard
The snow leopard lives mainly in the mountainous areas of Mongolia's Altai and Khangai ranges, but can be found in a dozen countries in all. Its total population is estimated at between 5 and 8,000 individuals, of which less than 500 live in Kyrgyzstan. Covered in thick, long white fur with black patches, it can live at altitudes of up to 6,000 m, and even make forays to hunt at 7,000 meters. Not far enough away from the poachers, however, who track it down to sell its skin at a premium (we're talking US$15,000-20,000 apiece). This is why the snow leopard is one of the ten most endangered species worldwide.
Expanding protected areas
Kyrgyzstan is well aware of the importance of its natural heritage, especially when it comes to tourism, and has made commendable efforts to protect it. There are 83 protected areas of varying status (reserves, national parks, nature parks) covering almost a million hectares. In addition, two biosphere reserves, including Lake Issyk Kul, have been added to the Unesco World Heritage list. However, the means of protecting these reserves are still far too limited to be effective.
