Surkhandarya Nature Reserve

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Surkhandarya Nature Reserve

Nestled in the northwestern region of the Sherabad district in the Surkhandarya province, the Surkhandarya State Nature Reserve is a remarkable ecological haven comprising two distinct sections: the Aral-Paigambar Island and the eastern slope of the Kugitangtau mountain range. The Aral-Paigambar area, spanning a total of 3,092 hectares, was established as a nature reserve in 1971 with the primary aim of preserving the unique floodplain-tugai ecosystem and the natural population of the Bukhara deer, a species listed in the International Red List of the IUCN and the Red Book of the former Soviet Union. Recently, the government of Uzbekistan has designated the Aral-Paigambar Island to the border service.

In 1986, the Kugitang State Nature Reserve was merged with the Aral-Paigambar reserve, leading to the formation of the Surkhandarya State Nature Reserve. Today, this expansive territory lies within the southwestern foothills of the Gissar mountain range, part of the Pamir-Alai mountain system, at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,157 meters above sea level. The peripheral regions and foothills of the Gissar range, including Yakabagh, Chakhchar, Baysun, Kugitang, and Surkhan, fan out across the southwestern part of the republic, situated in close proximity to the scorching Kyzylkum Desert. The plains are intersected by the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. To the west, the reserve shares a border with Turkmenistan, which hosts two nature reserves and one national park, facilitating the establishment of a transboundary reserve aimed at conserving the biodiversity of the Kugitang mountains. The total area of the reserve is 24,583 hectares, of which 9,284 hectares are forested.

The climate within the reserve is characterized by its continental nature, aridity, abundant heat and sunlight, low humidity, and strong hot winds known as “afghans.” During the winter months, temperatures predominantly remain positive, ranging from +2°C to +3.5°C at various elevations. The absolute summer maximum can soar between +32°C and +52°C. Precipitation occurs mainly in the form of rain and snow during the autumn, winter, and spring seasons, with total annual rainfall averaging between 405 and 410 mm. Snow cover typically appears in the latter half of December and persists until February, while the frost-free period lasts approximately 284 to 289 days.

Currently, the Kugitang Reserve boasts a rich diversity of flora, with 578 species of vascular plants identified, belonging to 269 genera and 55 families. Among these, 23 species are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The reserve is home to many unique and endemic plant species, found exclusively on the Kugitang range. Notable examples include the Willis’ Astragalus (Astragalus willisii M. Pop.), the nearly Shakhimardan Astragalus (Astragalus subschachimardanus M. Pop.), the lead Astragalus (Astragalus plumbeus Gontsch.), the Bukhara Zygophyllum (Zygophyllum bucharicum B. Fedtsch.), and the Allochrusa gypsophiloides (Regel) Schischk.

The fauna of the reserve represents a complex natural community, reflective of the environmental conditions typical of Central Asian mountains. Within the reserve, 23 species of mammals have been recorded, alongside a variety of bird species characteristic of the southern Palearctic region. Remarkably, the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) and the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus) still inhabit the reserve, both of which are extremely rare and on the brink of extinction in Uzbekistan. Nevertheless, leopards have been spotted several times in recent years, and rangers have noted signs of hyena presence. Additionally, two other endangered species found in the reserve are the markhor (Capra falconeri) and the Bukhara urial (Ovis vignei bocharensis). The markhor population within the reserve is estimated at 160-180 individuals, while the Bukhara urial, which inhabits arid low mountains and foothills, is even rarer, with a population of only 20-25 individuals. Besides these species, several other rare species requiring conservation and restoration efforts reside in the reserve. The large white-bellied bat (Otonycteris hemprichi), a naturally rare and therefore vulnerable species, also calls this area home. The Turkestan lynx (Turkestan Lynx), another vulnerable species, is facing a decline in numbers. In the foothills, the gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) has also seen its population catastrophically decrease in recent decades. Common species include the fox, jackal, badger, tolai hare, eared hedgehog, and wild boar.

The reserve is home to over 200 bird species, with 74 species recorded in the mountainous areas and 143 species on the Aral-Paigambar Island, encompassing 91 genera, 43 families, and 15 orders. Among the rare and vulnerable bird species nesting within the reserve, one can find the Turkestan white stork (Ciconia ciconia), black stork (Ciconia nigra), bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), black vulture (Aegypius monachus), snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), and several others.

Termez City Tour

From$85
4-5 hours

See Zurmala Buddha’s stupa
Tour Buddhist site Kara-Tepa
Visit Fayaz-Tepe ruins
Explore Mausoleum of Al-Hakim
Visit Kokildor-Ota Khanaka

Explore Termez's rich history on a captivating one-day tour. Discover ancient Buddhist sites like Zurmala and Kara-Tepa, marvel at the Islamic Sultan Saodat Ensemble, and visit the Samani rulers' Fortress Kyrk-Kyz, blending diverse cultural legacies in one unforgettable journey.
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