Central Asia

Goal

Against this background, the project aims to strengthen transboundary cooperation in nature conservation and protected area management in Central Asia, taking into account integrative land use approaches.

Using different integrative approaches to biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use, methods will be tested that prepare the ground for long-term cross-country conservation and exchange in Central Asia.

Approach

The project comprises three work packages:

• Creating conditions for improved transboundary nature conservation management and actively promoting implementation measures;
• Strengthening sustainable land use management in the target countries;
• Strengthening regional exchange on transboundary cooperation.

One of the pilot regions of the project is the Zarafshan Valley between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The Tugai forests along the Zarafshan River are of particular importance for nature conservation due to their special ecological character and biodiversity. A unified monitoring concept will be developed for the valley, the capacities of the existing two protected areas in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan will be strengthened and concepts for transboundary tourism will be developed.

Wherever activities at local level have regional relevance and lessons learnt, communication products or other outputs will be shared back regionally or packaged for regional audiences. Exchange formats such as round tables, side events or summer schools provide for a regional exchange.

MSF experiences from ongoing or completed regional projects in Central Asia, such as the Central Asian Desert Initiative (CADI), will help to develop common regional strategies.