SEO Riders:
– Kyrgyzstan’s Ak Ilbirs Ecological Corridor
– Snow leopard conservation initiatives
– Biodiversity protection in Central Asia
In April 2025, Kyrgyzstan inaugurated the Ak Ilbirs (Snow Leopard) Ecological Corridor in the Issyk-Kul region, spanning over 792,000 hectares. This corridor connects key protected areas, including Khan-Tengri State Nature Park, Sarychat-Ertash Nature Reserve, and Naryn Nature Reserve, aiming to preserve biodiversity and protect rare species such as the snow leopard.
The corridor enforces strict prohibitions on activities detrimental to the ecosystem, such as introducing non-native species, using pesticides, and disposing of radioactive waste. Conversely, it supports environmentally responsible activities like scientific research, reforestation, and sustainable forest management.
This initiative aligns with Kyrgyzstan’s broader conservation efforts, including the establishment of ecological corridors in the Chatkal Range to facilitate wildlife migration and the revision of its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to meet global biodiversity targets.
