Bio-diversity

The project aims to construct physical barriers to destruction of unique riverine forest along Zerafshan river. The forest (tugai forest) is protected by the state in form of existing strict nature reserve. The reserve is the smallest in the national PA system and the one that has the most problems. It is surrounded by a number of villages, located close to the reserve. The area is highly populated. The local people use the reserve as a free source of extra earnings though the area is rather well-off. After scrutinized examination of the problems and thorough elaboration of the possible solutions by the group of enthusiasts and personnel of the reserve, the only feasible solution that was proposed is construction of the physical barriers to the reserve. The reserve itself can not fund these construction works. The barriers will include construction of a fence with warbled wire that is later is planted from both sides with endemic thorn bearing plant species; construction of ditches along the boundaries of the reserve to prevent entrance of light and heavy trucks poaching on the wood.The reserve will also add some new territories and will formally secure for itself the territories that were illegally misappropriated by local people.

Uzbekistan