Building peace in the minds of men and women

Mount Chatkal

This biosphere reserve covers the southwestern end of the Chatkal'skiy Range in the western Tien-Shan Mountains. Covering altitudes between 1,110 to 4,000 meters above sea level, Mount Chatkal Biosphere Reserve comprises a high habitat and species diversity. Habitats include mountain steppes, mountain forests, rocks, alpine meadows, river valleys and floodplain forests.

The site is famous from an archaeological point of view since it hosts ancient drawings dating back to 1000-2000 BC. Drawings of riders, houses and dogs indicate that people have inhabited the area since ancient times. Today, the biosphere reserve is not inhabited since human activities in the area ceased in 1947 with the establishment of the State Nature Reserve. Before that, the area was used for hunting, grazing and mineral prospecting. Today, some 25,000 people live in settlements close to the area (1999), making their living mainly from agriculture, cattle raising and gardening. The biosphere reserve is devoted to conservation and research and provides a research station, several field stations, museum facilities and a meteorological station. Read more about this biosphere reserve on the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves website.