In Turkmenistan’s Lebap province, preparations are underway to establish the Tallymerjen Nature Reserve, which will become part of the Koytendag State Nature Reserve. The reserve is part of the country’s National Forestry Program and expands the network of specially protected natural areas.

The reserve will occupy part of the Khodjambaz etrap on the right bank of the Amu Darya. The territory will include a strictly protected area and a mixed-use area where economic activity is permitted. A buffer zone of approximately 20,000 hectares will be provided around the reserve.

The area encompasses a diverse range of landscapes: lowlands, foothills, and sandy loess plains. The highest point is Mount Khodzhalcha (1001 m), and the lowest is the Khala River (343 m). Around 160 species of flora grow here, primarily shrubs and herbs adapted to the arid climate.

The area serves as a habitat and migration site for other rare birds, including the steppe eagle, saker falcon, Egyptian vulture, demoiselle crane, and houbara bustard. In spring, flocks of little bustards, larks, and common cranes fly through the area.

This initiative is being implemented within the framework of three Rio Conventions, including the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The Tallymerjen Plain has been considered a key bird area since 2009. In September and October, up to 6,000–8,000 sociable lapwings migrate here, representing more than half of the species’ global population. Ornithologists from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan conduct joint bird counts on both sides of the border.

Photo: turkmenmetmugat.gov.tm