“Protection of the Highly Esteemed by the Community Ecosystem of Tal-Mazar Spring Situated on the Northern Slope of the Turkestan Mountain Range”. (KYR/SGP/OP4/CORE/08/45)

>> click here to see more detailed map 
download KML file (Google Earth) 

Project Details & Results

The Tal-Mazar spring is one of the main sources of drinking and irrigation water of Kshtut Aiyl Okrug which borders on Sokh enclave of Uzbekistan. At the same time this spring is considered to be sacred, and a large amount of visitors has a negative influence on the quality of water and ecosystem surrounding the spring.

Notable Community Participation
The population of Gaz village supported founding of "Tal-Mazar" jamaat for solving the problem of Tal-Mazar spring, the water of which is lessening and being polluted by visitors, while inhabitants use it for drinking and irrigation.

Capacity - Building Component
Conduction of historical, geobotanical and hydrogeological researches with participation of local inhabitants will increase local population's awareness of their environment and raise their interest in conserving it.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
The protection of the spring and the environment surrounding it will have a positive impact not only on the quantity and quality of the water but for local biodiversity. Taking fees from visitors and applying the finance scheme awarding those who planted and growed a tree will increase families' income, thus raising their interest in maintaining environment friendly livelihood.

Gender Focus
There is no specific gender focus in this project. Almost half of the project participants are women.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Conducting researches and publishing them in a scientific brochure and distribution of a film will promote public awareness of global environment.

Policy Impact
Noting significance of the problem raised by jamaat, local authorities such as Ayil Okmotu and ARIS supported the project idea and participated in co-financing.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms
Developing principles and regulations of finance scheme including visitor fees for creation of tree plantations around the spring in an area of 13 hectares includes reward for full-grown saplings.

Project Results
Project activities completed up: Meetings with local population informing the local population about project purposes, tasks were conducted. The local population get knowledges about the benefits of use of alternative energy sources and improving of ecological situation of the project area. 1 solar generator, 2 solar heating systems have been purchased and installed, which were demonstrated to the local populations notice. Phased pasture using Plan was designed and adopted. Plantation of saplings of willow - 1250 pcs, dog-roses - 4376, poplar -175, pine-trees - 2331 pcs was provided. The guarding of the plantation was organized. The irrigation channel of 374 meters were cleaned up and reconstructed. 4 Informational boards were installed at the appropriate places.