The bats Rinolophus hipposideros and Tadarida teniotis are rare and endangered species included in Kyrgyzstan and other countries Red Book. The main reason of their population reduction is anthropogenic factor, which is manmade disturbance in their wintering and reproduction places.
The caves Ulu-Too and Chil-Ustun visits without any control both organized and not organized tourists. It leads to destruction of caves and reduces available space for bats colony. The caves of Chil-Ustun and Uluu-Too have status of zakaznik, but this status was not supported by any national or local authority?s budget lines.
The main goal of the project is preservation of habitat of bats through the organizing community-based patrol, installing grates in cave entrances, conducting information campaign and raising public awareness in Aravan, Madaniyat, Mangit villages.
During the project realization the follow results are expected:
Ecological
Protection and rehabilitation of bats habitats
Reduction of malaria mosquito?s population in the nearest wetlands
Economic
The project activities creates basis for controllable and payable caves visiting. It creates new work places and let to receive sources for caves protection.
Socio-cultural or political
It is possible the strange and useless attitude to caves will change.
It is possible peoples attitude to bats will change (hostility and fear to bats). Populations stop intentional and not intentional destruction of bats and their habitat.
It is possible the project results can be replicated in other places, where State declares them as secured territory but not support by finance and real actions.
Actions to be undertaken by Public Association «Eco-Avanta»:
1.Conducting seminars and round table.
2.Installing grates in entrance of caves.
3.Organize community based patrol.
4.Pass a resolution to announce this territory as community reserve.
5.Make research to figure out project effectiveness.
6.Publishing brochures and posters.
7.Information campaign
The groups involved in carrying out of the project activity
50 families in Allarnarov and Mangyt Ayil Okmot will be involved in project realization, NGO members, school teachers as well as.
Main activities will be under way in Osh oblast, Aravan rayon, Chil-Ustun and Uluu-Too mountains in south-east part of Alay range.
The expected benefits of the project, including environmental and livelihood benefits
Ecological benefit:
Conservation of bats population and reduction of recreation pressure in the caves of Chil-Ustun and Uluu-Too
Leconomic benefits
-Ecological tourism basis creation
-Reduction of disease from different insects bite including malaria mosquito, because bats population is the natural limiter of mass mosquito reproduction
-But for tracking such benefits it is necessary to hold special investigations.