On June 15, 2022, a round table was organized in the Kashka-Suu ayil okmotu of the Aksy district of the Jalal-Abad region in order to improve the protection of the reserve, ensure interaction and cooperation between local governments, reserve specialists and local residents, to prevent conflict situations related to the activities of Padysh-Ata state reserve.

This event was organized by the Aarhus Center in the city of Osh within the framework of the project of the OSCE Program Office in Bishkek “Promotion of the Green Economy and Environmental Management”.

The round table was attended by representatives of the OSCE Program Office in Bishkek, Vice Mayor and Chairman of the Kerben Pasture Committee, Head of the Kashka-Suu Aiyl Okmotu and Chairman of the Aiyl Kenesh, specialist in land issues, heads of the villages of Karabashat, Tuyuk-Zhar, Cheshtobo, Zhany aiyl, Ak-Dobo, Kurulush and reserve specialists. A total of 26 people took part.

Director of the Aarhus Center K. Isabayev, head of the OSCE Program Office in Bishkek A. Rogov, head of the Kashka-Suu aiyl okmotu Shekerbek Kamchybek uulu spoke at the opening of the event.

The head of the OSCE Program Office in Bishkek noted the uniqueness and significance of the Padysh-Ata and Sary Chelek state nature reserves in the natural system of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. He noted the need for interaction and cooperation in the protection of reserves with local governments and local residents. Director of the Padysh-Ata State Reserve M. Artykbaev spoke in detail about the activities of the reserve and cooperation with local governments.

Aarhus Center Specialist A. Matisaev presented to the participants the presentation “Activities of the Aarhus Center” and the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Specially Protected Natural Territories”, “On Wildlife”, “On Environmental Protection”. He informed the participants in detail about the powers, rights and obligations of local governments, local residents and public associations.

The round table participants discussed the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Specially Protected Natural Territories” and “On Environmental Protection”. After the discussion, it was proposed to create an advisory council for the purpose of environmental protection, compliance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic when using pasturelands, transition from quantity to quality of cattle and small ruminants, tourism development. The participants noted the importance of conducting explanatory work and meetings among pasture users on an ongoing basis. It is proposed to conduct various informational, practical activities and actions for nature protection in educational institutions.

Representatives of the OSCE Program Office in Bishkek and participants visited the administrative office of the Padysh Ata State Nature Reserve under construction in the village of Kashka Suu.

The participants of the event were given Collections of legal acts related to the activities of state bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of environmental protection (Bishkek, 2020), three types of posters about animals, birds and plants listed in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic, published by the Program Office OSCE in Bishkek.

At the end of the round table, the director of the Aarhus Center K. Isabaev thanked the participants and expressed his readiness for cooperation in the field of environmental protection.

Matisaev A., specialist of the Aarhus Center of Osh.