Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve, Biosphere reserve in Aksy District, Kyrgyzstan
Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve is a protected mountainous region in Kyrgyzstan with seven alpine lakes nestled among steep rocky cliffs and dense forests spread across different elevations. The lakes form the heart of this landscape, surrounded by thick woodland and rugged terrain.
The Kyrgyz government established this protected area in 1959 to safeguard natural habitats within the Chatkal Mountains. This designation allowed the region to preserve its rare wildlife and forest ecosystems over the following decades.
Local communities near the reserve maintain traditional land management practices that have influenced the development of conservation strategies in the region.
Entry to this reserve requires a special permit that you can obtain from the administration office at the entrance. The visit is best planned between late spring and early autumn when mountain paths are most accessible.
The reserve is home to over 1000 plant species, 160 bird types, and 34 mammals thriving within this isolated mountain ecosystem. This concentration of wildlife makes it a valuable location for studying and observing rare mountain and forest creatures.
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