Project Updates - 2022
January - February
Collection and evaluation of stock materials obtained in previous studies conducted on the territory of the Batken region of the southwestern part of Kyrgyzstan.
During two months, researchers collected archival and stock materials on geological risks, water resources in the Batken region. Data on georisks and water resources were collected at the Institute of Geology of the Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan, as well as at the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan. This material will form the basis of publications and a book on the georisks of the Batken region, which is in line with the principles of a UNESCO geopark.
Students of the Mining and Geological University in Bishkek as well as young professionals, participated in this work. The objective was to involve young professionals in the project, especially women working in the field of natural sciences. Young participants conducted data processing and created a database for future models, maps and scientific publications. PhD students were also involved in writing scientific articles.
March 2022
In mid-March, the project held joint consultations with colleagues in Tajikistan on joint work in the field of transboundary georisk assessment. Young specialists and scientists from the university and public organizations took part. As a result, researchers agreed on further contacts regarding the exchange of data on the geological heritage and joint publication in the journal EPISODES.
April 2022 - Forum on geological heritage and development of geo-tourism in the Madygen Geopark in the Batken region
A large-scale forum, attended by international organizations, donors, university students, local authorities, representatives of the government of Kyrgyzstan, tourism industry, representatives of the Ministry of Ecology, etc.was organized
The purpose of the forum was to involve international donors in the development of the geopark, the preservation of the geological heritage, the development of geotourism, as well as the implementation of projects to reduce georisks.
As a result, memorandums of cooperation were signed with international donors to support the development of the 727 IGCP project.
May 2022 - Seminar and field trip in Batken region: Geological mapping skills to create thematic maps.
The purpose of the event was to improve the participants skills in geo-mapping using a drone and creating thematic maps. Local activists, students of Batken University and young specialists of Mining and Geological University in Batken were involved in the event.
August 2022 - International Summer School on geological mapping using drones: https://geotianshan.org/en/expeditions/geological-mapping-us...
Young specialists from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and other countries are invited to learn the skills of aerial photo mapping and exchange experience. The territory of the geopark is a convenient place for data calibration. All objects in the Geopark are very accessible and clearly presented.
Register: https://geotianshan.org/en/expeditions/geological-mapping-us...
Project Updates - 2021
IGCP 727 project aim is to create an international collaboration consortium to study the natural resources and geoheritage connections for the establishment of a transboundary geopark in the southwest of Tien-Shan, an area with an outstanding geological heritage covering part of the territory of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Earlier in November, between 12th and the 16th, the project delivered a seminar on “UNESCO Global Geoparks in Central Asia: Opportunities and Potentials”. This seminar was organized by the UNESCO office in Almaty, supported by the UNESCO IGGP Secretariat, the State Committee on Geology of the Republic of Uzbekistan, National Committee of Geologists of Uzbekistan and Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
An international paleontological expedition took place in September-October in the Batken region (Madigen) - a potential UNESCO Geopark - with researchers from Germany, Russia and Kyrgyzstan. Objects of geological heritage and water resources were also studied. See the stunning photos from these expeditons below. All images by Dr. Alexey Dudashvili
Learn more about this project:
Brief outline of the project
This project's purpose is to create international collaboration to study natural resources and geoheritage connections for the establishment of a transboundary Geopark in the southwest of the Tien-Shan an area with an outstanding geological heritage.
The southwestern part of the Tien-Shan covers the territory of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. This region has a high potential for the implementation of future scientific and applied programs implemented by IGCP: Geoheritage for Sustainable Development; Global Change; Geohazards; Hydrogeology; Earth Resources.
It is a region with outstanding geological heritage sites that have international criteria. Our task is to preserve these objects as unique natural monuments. This will contribute to sustainable development and the involvement of local people in the development of the Geopark.
We plan to explore the potential of the geological heritage and create a Geopark. In this region of Kyrgyzstan, the pristine nature and culture of indigenous peoples have been preserved.
There is a lot of potential in our project for scientists who want to study and predict geological hazards as well as water resources. Therefore, we encourage you to cooperate.
Despite the fact that the Turkestan ridge is a good accumulator of moisture, there is a shortage of water in this arid region. This aggravates interethnic conflicts. The results of water resources research, assessment of natural water sources, and recommendations for their use, will help to mitigate the effects of climate change.
We look forward to international cooperation to research natural hazards and water resources in the driest region of Kyrgyzstan. We look forward to the support of international organizations, which will help us to involve local communities in the creation and operation of the Geopark. Local authorities should be involved in the development of the Geopark, which should support local activists.
The creation of a Geopark will become a deterrent that will distract the indigenous population from existing problems and re-evaluate their interaction with nature. The Geopark will solve a number of social problems, including poverty reduction and the involvement of women and youth. Rational use of natural resources and harmony with nature will allow reorienting indigenous people towards sustainable development and increasing potential through the use of unique natural heritage.
Our long-term goals: To use the potential of the geological heritage for the sustainable development of the most remote region of Kyrgyzstan; Establish a UNESCO Geopark that will contribute to capacity building in the region; The Geopark will improve the social situation of the indigenous people and the region as a whole, increase their knowledge of the geological heritage, and increase their knowledge of natural hazards and social processes taking place in their own region.
We plan to make recommendations and develop measures to reduce geological hazards and their management. These recommendations will be addressed to state authorities, submitted to scientific institutes of the Academy of Sciences, and will also be the basis for development for the local population.
Related information
- duration: 2021 - 2022
- Special topic: Geoheritage for Sustainable Development theme
Contact
- Aleksei Dudashvili (Kyrgyzstan)
email: info@geotianshan.org
website