Within the framework of World Wetlands Day, the permanent partner of the Ramsar Regional Initiative for Central Asia in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the NGO Zhivaya Priroda (“Living Nature”), represented by Ishmamat Suyanovich Togaev, held a training seminar for environmental organizations and students of профильных higher education institutions of Navoi Region. The seminar focused on conservation challenges, research issues, the assessment of ecosystem services, and environmental threats to two Ramsar sites: “Tudakul and Kuyumazar Reservoirs” and the “Aydar–Arnasay Lake System.”
Participants exchanged experience in biodiversity monitoring, implementation of biotechnical measures, and addressing greening challenges in desert regions. Staff of protected areas (SPNAs) spoke about the creation of additional artificial watering points for animals, where small pools are formed that also attract waterfowl and near-water bird species.
For example, in the autumn of 2024, seven Sociable Lapwings (Vanellus gregarius), a globally threatened species, were recorded at one such watering point—each sighting of this species is of great importance to international experts.
The meeting was held at the House of Friendship and NGOs of Navoi Region and was attended by representatives of the Navoi Regional Main Department of Ecology and Climate Change, members of the Kengash (Council) of the Ecological Party of Navoi Region, staff of the Central Kyzylkum National Park and the Oktog–Tomdy Nature Reserve, the Navoi Regional Branch of the Oliy Majlis Fund for the Support of NGOs, the Navoi branch of NANNAUz, lecturers and students of the Navoi Mining University and the Navoi Pedagogical University, media representatives, and a number of NGO leaders from the region.
Additional information:
Lyudmila Kiktenko – Program Manager, Environmental Management Program, CAREC, lkiktenko@carececo.org