Karakuldja rayon is one of the most landslide and erosion hazardous regions (rayon) of Kyrgyzstan. One of the reasons is wide spread occurrence of loess soil and mud shale that are very sensitive to vegetation covers. Extensive agriculture (cattle breeding and plant cultivation) have resulted in degradation of land cover and in general desertification of landscape.
The main goal of the project is to decrease desertification by demonstration of sustainable use of brush-wood ecosystem potentials.
In the course of project implementation it is intended to obtain the following results:
Ecological
-reduction of desertification rate through rehabilitation of grass cover in places of plantations of wood and bush vegetation fenced in from cattle penetration;
-rehabilitation of wood and bush vegetation as a habitat of birds and rodents;
Economic
-collection of fruits of wild fruit bushes (pistachio and almond);
-regulated collection of brushwood on fenced plots, laying in of hay;
- improvement of soil fertility on fenced plots that will allow to grow agricultural crops in spaces between rows;
-development of additional kinds of activities related to growing, collection and sale of fruits of almond, pistachio, establishment of pistachio and almond nut processing unit
Social and cultural
- strengthening of traditions related with plant-growing as a supplement to a traditional cattle-breeding type of natural resources management .
Actions to be undertaken by Public Foundation «Ecosezim»:
1. Conducting seminars and round table.
2. Establishing community based nursery forest in 0,5 hectares.
3. Fencing the planting territory.
4. Planting wild kind of pistachio and almonds in 50 hectares land.
5. Taking care for saplings and distribute lots among the local population
6. Organizing workshop for processing non-timber forest products.
7. Publishing brochure and poster.
8. Information campaign
10 families from Akkija village will participate in project implementation that are occupied in cattle breeding and plant cultivation. Employees of Osh University, employees of Karakulja Forestry, members of PF ?Eco-Oy? will be involved in project implementation as well.
The main project activity will take place in the vicinity of Akkija village, located 30 km southwest of National Nature Park ?Karashoro?.
The main expected ecological and economic benefits of the project are:
? Reduction of desertification rate around Kuigumon village
? Development of new types of management related with walnuts growing