The purpose of the visit was to study the current habitat of the Bukhara deer, which is listed in the Red Book, and to develop recommendations for improving its habitat and effectively managing the population.
During the visit, experts paid particular attention to the potential relocation of part of the population from the Badai-Tugai area to the Nazarkhan section of the reserve, located 60-70 km away. According to experts, the deer population in Badai-Tugai has increased significantly, resulting in a reduction in vegetation cover by almost 90% and a drop in groundwater levels by 5-6 meters. These factors significantly degrade the food supply and the overall health of the animals’ habitat.
One of the key aspects of the study was examining the benefits and risks of relocating deer to the Nazarkhan area. According to Natalia Marmazinskaya, this area has favorable terrain and is suitable for long-term animal management. Furthermore, relocating part of the population will reduce the burden on the Badai-Tugai ecosystem and prevent potential genetic problems associated with inbreeding within an overly dense population.
An expert assessment has shown that the Nazarkhan site could become an optimal territory for further expansion of the Bukhara deer’s range and strengthening the sustainability of the population as a whole.
The Lower Amu Darya Biosphere Reserve is one of the most important tugai forest areas in Central Asia and is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Network. Conservation of the Bukhara deer is of strategic importance not only for the protection of this rare species but also for maintaining the sustainability of the entire regional ecosystem.
During the visit, additional activities for the implementation of the third component of the FOLUR–Uzbekistan project, aimed at introducing nature-based solutions (NbS) into protected area management, were also discussed. Work is planned to improve the food supply and restore the animals’ natural habitats in collaboration with Akilbek Mirzabekovich Tureev, a researcher at the reserve.
For reference: the first Bukhara deer were brought to the Lower Amu Darya Reserve in 1976 (3 individuals), 1978 (9 individuals), and 1987 (9 individuals). A total of 21 animals were introduced from the Republic of Tajikistan. Today, the world’s largest population of Bukhara deer, an endangered species listed in the Red Data Book of Uzbekistan, is concentrated here.
The FOLUR–Uzbekistan (Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration Impact Program) project is an international initiative aimed at sustainable management of agricultural landscapes, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity conservation in the country. Implementation of these activities in the Lower Amudarya Biosphere Reserve will be an important contribution to ensuring the long-term conservation of the Bukhara deer and the region’s natural ecosystems.
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