Protecting Biodiversity by Supporting People

Conservation and Research of Wild Fruit Species in Western Tian Shan, Kyrgyz Republic

Grantee Name: University of Central Asia

Hotspot: Mountains of Central Asia
Location: Kyrgyzstan
Amount: $109,372
Dates: Dec 2020 – May 2023
Keywords: Agroforestry, Buffer zones, Ethnobotany, Geographic Information Systems, Non-timber Forest Products (incl. fuelwood), Research, Restoration, Species Conservation, Employment

Engage community members living around the Sary-Chelek, Padysha-Ata, and Kara-Alma reserves in Kyrgyzstan, train them to make more sustainable use of the forest and conserve threatened apple and pear species found there. Focusing on the crop wild relatives to modern fruit trees, assess the extent of the species in the reserves, create links between communities and marketers and retailers of high-value food products, and promote better management of the reserves.

Strategic Direction :

1 Address threats to priority species