KGZ15 Key Biodiversity Area Bekechal

Area: 12 000 hа.
Category of KBA: B1
Availability of PA (none)
-Location: Ak-Zhol village district of Jalalabad region[/quote]

In Kyrgyzstan, we can definitely find rarely visited, non-tourist places, one of these is the Bekechal Gorge. This place is so new and unexplored that even on the Internet there is no information about it, except for its location. There are no tourists here, but not because of the scarcity of views and landscapes, but because of the unknown country. Nature in these places is almost pristine.

The river of the same name flows in the Bekechal Gorge, which is the left tributary of the Naryn River. The gorge is a storehouse of unique biodiversity, and all of them contain endemic species listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan. Species that initiated the isolation of KBA: Bekechal onion, Zopnichek kurpsai, Camomile brahantemoides.

The gorge is especially picturesque in spring, in May-June, when you can observe the mass flowering of onions and other herbaceous plants.
The Bekechal gorge is located in the Jalalabad region, on the road between Karakul and Tashkumyr there is a barely noticeable exit to the river. Another landmark is the bridge across the river at km 408 of the Bishkek-Osh highway.

Settlements on the territory of the KRB or adjacent to the territory of the KRB: No, there are only individual households and sheepfolds.

Ecology: The gorge is not covered by mass tourism, for this reason plant species listed in the Red Book have been preserved in it. Tourism development here should be carried out only with the use of environmentally friendly infrastructure and through the organization of special ecological trails in order to avoid harming local biodiversity. Training of local guides is required.

When determining the habitats of Red Data Book species, it is advisable to create communal micro-reserves based on the Decree of October 7, 2022 No. 554 “On Approval of the Procedure for the Formation and Functioning of Micro-Reserves and Specially Protected Natural Areas of Local Importance”.
https://continent-online.com/Document/?doc_id=32038399#pos=1;-73

According to this resolution, microreserves and/or protected areas of local importance are formed in accordance with the decisions of local governments within the framework of delegated state powers, on the lands of which the formation and operation of microreserves are planned.
The decision on the formation of micro-reserves is made by representatives of local self-government. This decision also approves the regulation on the micro-reserve.

Working with Ak-Jol village district can provide the basis for this important work.

Key Biodiversity Area Bekechal