Biodiversity Conservation Programs: Examples of Projects in Uzbekistan

Introduction.

Biodiversity is the entire variety of life on Earth, manifested at three levels: Genetic level — differences within a single species that ensure its resilience and ability to adapt to environmental changes; Species level — the diversity of plant, animal, and microorganism species themselves; Ecosystem level — the diversity of natural communities and landscapes that form a stable natural environment.

The state of biodiversity directly depends on environmental quality and at the same time influences it. Rich ecosystems ensure soil fertility, water and air purity, regulate climate, and form the foundation for agriculture and human well-being. The loss of species or destruction of habitats triggers the opposite process: ecosystems become less resilient, and their vulnerability to climate change, droughts, and anthropogenic pressure increases.

Biodiversity and Threats to Its Conservation.

In Uzbekistan, biodiversity is manifested in an exceptional variety of landscapes — from the mountain ecosystems of the Tien Shan to the Kyzylkum deserts and the floodplain forests of the Amu Darya — as well as in the vegetation, fungi, and animal species recorded in the country. Today, about 27,000 species of living organisms (plants, animals, and fungi) are registered in Uzbekistan, which underlines the uniqueness of local ecosystems and, at the same time, sets a high bar for conservation measures. The list of vascular plants includes about 4,222 species, around 301 of which are considered endemic, meaning they occur only within the country or the region. This makes the conservation of flora particularly significant in the national context.

One of the key environmental problems determining the level of threats to biodiversity remains the legacy of the Aral Sea catastrophe: the drying up of the coastline has led to the degradation of about 3 million hectares of land, the emergence of new sources of saline dust, and the deterioration of adjacent ecosystems and communities. These processes are exacerbated by modern climate shifts: over recent decades, the region has shown a steady rise in average temperatures, more frequent extreme heat events, and prolonged drought periods. Combined with the high water consumption of the agricultural sector, this has led to a sharp reduction in available river flow and a decline in water volumes within the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins.

In response to these threats, the government and international partners have intensified nature restoration and protection programs. Over the past years, Uzbekistan has significantly expanded its network of protected areas: the share of specially protected natural territories has grown and, according to official reports, now covers about 14% of the country’s territory, reflecting efforts to align the national conservation system with international standards. At the same time, large-scale programs for vegetation restoration and soil protection are being implemented — in particular, the national initiative “Yashil Makon” (“Green Space”) is aimed at significantly increasing green cover: only during the spring 2025 campaign, about 136 million tree and shrub seedlings were planted, and plans until 2030 envisage even more ambitious targets for seedling cultivation and planting. These measures are already improving soil protection and partially reducing the intensity of dust storms in vulnerable regions.

Institutional Framework and Financing.

Uzbekistan, as a State Party to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity since 1995, has established and maintains a national legal and institutional framework for nature conservation, which is being consistently updated and expanded in response to growing environmental challenges. The first National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan was adopted in 1998, and in 2019 a new Strategy for 2019–2028 was approved, focused on ecosystem conservation, restoration of rare species, and integration of biodiversity objectives into sectoral policies. During 2023–2025, with the participation of international partners, preparatory work was carried out for the modernization of these documents and the development of an updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for the period 2025–2030, taking into account the requirements of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Institutionally, nature conservation is centered around the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as relevant sectoral agencies — the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Scientific support is provided by the Institute of Botany and the Institute of Zoology of the Academy of Sciences, as well as by regional research centers. Regional bodies, including the Ecology Department of Karakalpakstan, play a key role in managing particularly vulnerable areas, such as the Aral Sea region.

Government institutions actively cooperate with international organizations: a number of programs are implemented jointly with UNDP, GEF, IUCN, WWF, and other partners, which strengthens the technical, financial, and methodological support for national initiatives.

According to recent assessments, biodiversity sector financing in the country remains limited and fragmented, creating a “financial gap” between needs and available resources. According to BIOFIN, a national UNDP initiative aimed at analyzing and mobilizing financial resources for biodiversity conservation, and its related public expenditure review, direct expenditures on biodiversity account for less than 1% of total government spending — in some estimates around 0.33–0.5%, while total environmental expenditures remain within 1–1.6%. This highlights the need to mobilize external grants, private investments, and to implement “umbrella” financing mechanisms capable of combining public and private resources to achieve sustainable development goals.

In response to the identified resource deficit, a National Biodiversity Finance Plan (Biodiversity Finance Plan) was developed — a strategic document aimed at aligning public budget lines, donor programs, and private financial instruments with the priority directions of environmental policy. It is designed to support activities for the restoration of degraded landscapes, revival of populations of rare and endangered species, and promotion of sustainable natural resource management practices. The Plan was prepared within the BIOFIN framework and officially presented in 2024–2025; it identified an additional funding need of about USD 60 million for priority activities up to 2028 and proposed a detailed roadmap for combining budgetary, donor, and private financing sources.

(National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan)

Biodiversity Conservation Programs in Uzbekistan.

International cooperation is a central element of national policy: Uzbekistan has already attracted the support of GEF-8 and UNDP for updating the national strategy and preparing the Seventh National Report under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and also participates in regional initiatives on sturgeon restoration, transboundary water system monitoring, and the landscape restoration program in the Aral–Caspian region. Practical assistance includes not only grants but also technical consultations on integrating biodiversity into sectoral planning, methodologies for assessing financial needs, and developing sustainable financing mechanisms, including “green” instruments for private capital.

Biodiversity conservation programs cover a wide range of activities. Large-scale afforestation campaigns, wetland and floodplain ecosystem restoration projects, species protection measures, and community infrastructure development projects are being implemented simultaneously. The national initiative “Yashil Makon” (“Green Space”) continued its extensive spring planting campaign: in spring 2025, according to official data, around 136 million tree and shrub seedlings were planted. To combat desertification and stabilize dunes in the Aral Sea region, saxaul and other drought-resistant species are also being planted. In parallel, projects are underway for the reintroduction and protection of kulan, Bukhara deer, and rare sturgeon species — these initiatives receive both technical and financial support from international partners.

At the same time, the very approach to nature conservation is changing: from fragmented actions, the country is gradually moving toward integrated landscape programs. Thus, in June 2024, the Ministry of Ecology, together with UNDP and IUCN, presented the concept of “Integrated Landscape Management”, which provides for interagency coordination at the basin level, integration of ecosystem restoration measures with the sustainable use of land and water, and the introduction of innovative financial schemes. Such projects are planned to be nominated for GEF funding; the priority regions — Western Tien Shan, Nuratau, Kugitang, and the Aral Sea region — were selected because here the synergy of comprehensive measures yields a much greater effect than isolated local initiatives.

Among the major projects shaping the practical biodiversity agenda in Uzbekistan, the following can be highlighted:

Project “Global Biodiversity Framework – Early Action Support” (UNDP–GEF, April 2023).In April 2023, a new joint UNDP–GEF project with the Ministry of Ecology was launched in Tashkent under the “Early Action Support” initiative for biodiversity. Its goal is to help the Government of Uzbekistan revise the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in accordance with the requirements of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The main components of the project include improving the legal and regulatory framework, developing a modern biodiversity and ecosystem monitoring system, strengthening biodiversity financing mechanisms, and implementing measures to restore rare and endangered species. The project covers the development of a national biodiversity cadastre, enhancement of anti-poaching controls, and promotion of ecotourism — all within the framework of aligning national targets with the global biodiversity agenda.

GEF-8 Umbrella Programme (COP16, December 2024). At the UN COP16 Conference (UNCCD, December 2024, Riyadh), the Ministry of Ecology, together with UNDP, signed an agreement on the implementation of the multi-project GEF-8 package “Updating Strategies and Action Plans.” This initiative provides funding for the updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), taking into account the recently adopted Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). In addition, the project includes the preparation and submission of Uzbekistan’s Seventh National Report under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Implementation of the GEF-8 Programme is planned for the period from late 2024 to July 2027. Thus, Uzbekistan has received UN and GEF support for an “umbrella” coordination of efforts to synchronize national policies with global biodiversity goals.

Project “Integrated Landscape Management” (2024–2026). In 2024, a major UNDP/GEF project on integrated landscape management was launched in Uzbekistan. It is aimed at interagency coordination and consolidation of ecosystem restoration programs in key bioregions — Western Tien Shan, Nuratau, and Kugitang. The project provides for the inclusion of environmental protection measures into strategic land-use planning, the development of innovative financial mechanisms, and the active engagement of local communities in the restoration of natural landscapes. It is expected that the program will develop landscape management plans, establish a Landscape Forum, and strengthen the system of Protected Areas (PAs), taking into account global ecological corridors. For example, the creation of an ecological corridor in the Chatkal Ridge of the Western Tien Shan has already been announced under the auspices of UNDP (see “Projects” section on the UNDP website). This approach ensures the integrity of ecosystems and the connectivity of protected areas for the migration of rare species (for instance, the snow leopard and arkhar).

Biodiversity Finance Plan (BIOFIN, March 2025). In March 2025, UNDP, together with the Ministry of Ecology, presented the National Biodiversity Finance Plan. This document serves as a strategic “roadmap” for resource mobilization for nature conservation. It includes an analysis of budgetary expenditures, donor investments, and private financial instruments. The plan introduces diverse mechanisms for attracting funds: stimulating public investments, international grants, payments for ecosystem services, and mobilization of private capital. The priority areas are key ecosystems of Uzbekistan — desert and mountain regions, oases, and wetlands. In particular, the plan emphasizes the protection of unique deserts (such as saxaul vegetation), mountain ranges, and forest regeneration. The development process was conducted in close cooperation with national institutions (ecology, finance, forestry) and NGOs, ensuring the integration of biodiversity considerations into broader environmental and economic strategies. The BIOFIN Plan also proposes strengthening human capacity and monitoring systems — all aimed at ensuring sustainable financial support for environmental measures.

“Green Aral Sea” Initiative (2020–2025). This public environmental crowdfunding initiative, launched by UNDP in March 2020, has become a symbol of the comprehensive restoration of the former Aral Sea bed ecosystem. Over five years, more than 823,000 saxaul seedlings have been planted on an area of 658.2 hectares in the Aralkum Desert. In spring 2025 alone, another stage was completed: 80,000 saxaul plants were planted on 80 hectares in Karakalpakstan. To improve survival rates, innovative agrotechnologies are being applied: seedling root systems are soaked in a mixture of organic fertilizer and clay, and experiments are being conducted with a Japanese polymer gel (SAP) that retains water around roots. The project mechanism is transparent — anyone can donate 1 USD (≈12,000 UZS) to plant one tree, which, according to experts, will help stabilize sand and protect the region from desertification for 25 years. The resulting saxaul plantations act as a “green shield”: an adult shrub can block up to 4 tons of sand, and when planted en masse, reduces wind force almost to zero, preventing salt and dust storms. In addition to soil stabilization, these forests are already facilitating the return of wildlife to the Aral region and improving the local climate.

International Alignment and Targets (GBF, CBD 7th National Report). Uzbekistan is actively aligning its national plans with global conventions. Following the signing of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the country has established its own national biodiversity targets with the support of UNDP. Uzbekistan became the first country in Central Asia to publish updated national targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). In 2023–2025, work is underway to modernize the National Biodiversity Strategy in accordance with the GBF. In parallel, the Seventh National Report under the CBD is being prepared (scheduled for 2025), which will reflect the progress achieved and outline new priorities. Thus, a new biodiversity strategy and monitoring system is planned for the post-2025 period. Continuous consultations with international partners are conducted on data exchange and ecosystem service accounting. All these efforts are part of the officially declared Year of Environmental Protection and “Green Economy” — 2025.

Reintroduction of Endangered Species. Special attention is given to restoring extinct populations. Since 2021, dozens of Turkmen kulan have been released on the Ustyurt Plateau and in the Aral Sea region — first about 31 mares and foals (48 individuals according to some data) in 2021, followed by over 18 animals at the end of 2022. These kulans have successfully adapted and reproduced, forming new herds. Bukhara deer (mountain hangul) are also being resettled: a group of 30–45 deer was relocated to the Lower Amudarya Biosphere Reserve and the Khorezm Natural Park. Given the species’ Red List status, such relocations help reduce local population pressure and expand the species’ range. Finally, at the International Conference on Migratory Species (CMS COP14, Samarkand 2023), President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced plans to reintroduce the Asiatic cheetah, a species that disappeared from Uzbekistan in the 1970s. This ambitious program provides for cooperation with scientists and research centers, and Uzbekistan has assumed the chairmanship of the Convention on Migratory Species for 2024–2027, which will help consolidate regional efforts to protect rare animals.

Initiatives of NGOs and Foundations.

Alongside government programs, NGO projects make a significant contribution to nature conservation. Their strength lies in local-level work, community involvement, and flexible support.

The GEF Small Grants Programme has become an important catalyst for such initiatives. Through it, numerous local environmental projects have been implemented. For example:

In the Bukhara region, the “Jayran” breeding center received a grant to add an additional 27,350 hectares of desert to its territory — which may become the foundation for the first desert national park. This expansion made it possible to increase the number of wild ungulates bred in the center (goitered gazelles, kulans, and Przewalski’s horses) and to create new enclosure complexes with quarantine and veterinary infrastructure. The project was accompanied by scientific monitoring and youth engagement: annual animal counts and environmental campaigns for road and territory cleaning are conducted.

Sturgeon Project: Under the leadership of ichthyologist Aleksey Chernyak, a project is being implemented to save the Amu Darya shovelnose sturgeons (Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni and P. hermanni). A group of scientists conducts field expeditions, studies spawning habitats in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya, and develops artificial breeding methods for these species. In 2022–2023, it was planned to establish an experimental laboratory for sturgeon reproduction at the Khorezm National Park. Already in spring 2020, all sturgeons kept in the nursery were released back into the river to ensure the safety of the Amu Darya hydrosystem, and further work will focus on releasing bred juveniles into controlled reservoirs. The project combines training of local specialists, international cooperation, and practical field research. In the Samarkand region, NGOs together with WWF are implementing a set of measures to protect the tugai forests of the Zarafshan Nature Reserve: fencing of 220 hectares of highly vulnerable areas, deepening and cleaning of channels, anti-erosion works, and programs to prevent poaching and illegal logging. At the same time, local residents are offered real alternative sources of income — establishing nurseries, developing ecotourism and environmental services, and training farmers in sustainable land-use technologies. The particular strength of these initiatives lies in combining a practical base (nurseries, restoration work) with scientific support: ecological and genetic monitoring allows tracking the survival rate of plantations, the genetic health of populations, and the effectiveness of conservation measures. The projects include regular data collection — species counts, camera traps, and DNA analysis of samples — which enables adaptive adjustment of methods and evaluation of success through specific indicators such as increased tugai area, reduced poaching incidents, and growth of key species populations. Financing is based on a mixed model: GEF small grants cover initial expenses and pilot activities, donors and NGOs provide technical support, and private investors and local initiatives ensure long-term co-financing and commercial elements (ecotours, nurseries).

FAO–Turkey Project “Enhancing Biodiversity and Sustainable Forest Management” (2024–2026). As part of the three-year regional FAO–Türkiye initiative, a system for knowledge exchange and capacity building for forestry and protected area specialists in Uzbekistan is being established. The project’s goal is to strengthen national and regional capacities for sustainable forest and protected area management, implement pilot practices, and create networking platforms for cooperation. Zaamin National Park, Zarafshan National Park, and Pap National Park have been identified as priority candidates for field interventions and demonstration of best practices; after field evaluations, one of these sites will be selected for the demonstration implementation of comprehensive measures. The initiative provides for seminars and internships for reserve and ministry staff, expert exchanges, the introduction of digital and field monitoring methods (including forest data collection and forest fire management), pilot measures for the restoration of spruce forests and protection of tugai oak groves, as well as activities for environmental education and biodiversity inventory on pilot sites.

Initiative of “BAT Uzbekistan” Company “Big Things Day” (since 2022). The corporate environmental project of the tobacco company British American Tobacco – Uzbekistan is aimed at protecting the tugai forests in the Zarafshan National Park — a unique ecosystem of Uzbekistan’s Central Tien Shan region. The company engages employees and local communities in environmental activities, which contributes to the long-term preservation of the oak-poplar “oases” of the Zarafshan lowlands. The goal is to preserve the habitat of the Bukhara (tugai) deer, listed in the IUCN Red List, and other species by organizing forest restoration and cleanup campaigns. Each year, Big Things Day volunteers plant thousands of tree seedlings, feed the deer, and clean up litter. For example, in March 2023, 120 participants planted 3,750 tree seedlings of various species, fed the local deer herd, and cleaned the coastal areas from debris.

World Bank Project “Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project – RESILAND CA+.” Launched in 2025, the RESILAND project (Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration) — the national component of the regional World Bank initiative — envisions an investment of about USD 153 million in the restoration of forests and degraded lands in Uzbekistan. The project covers six regions — Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Syrdarya, Jizzakh, Namangan, and Kashkadarya — where large-scale reforestation activities are planned. In particular, at the first stage, it is intended to rehabilitate approximately 176,000 hectares of forests, improve the condition of pastures, and combat erosion in mountain areas. Furthermore, the project emphasizes the development of agroforestry and “green” small businesses: support will be provided to farmers and SMEs for the implementation of innovative technologies, as well as for the development of ecotourism in protected areas. To strengthen institutional capacity, the project envisages the creation of a National Forest Inventory and the modernization of the Forest Agency (including increased digitalization and monitoring). The initiative is expected to help Uzbekistan achieve its national goal — to expand forested areas to 6.1 million hectares by 2030 — and to mitigate the effects of droughts and land degradation.

Conclusion

The environmental initiatives implemented in Uzbekistan clearly demonstrate that success in biodiversity conservation is possible only through the combination of local actions and strategic state policy. Local projects — from nurseries and species reintroductions to the protection of tugai forests and the restoration of wetlands — complement large-scale national and international programs and create a “mosaic” effect: individual efforts come together into a coordinated network of measures aimed at the sustainable restoration of landscapes and species.

These programs cover all natural zones of the country — from the deserts of Kyzylkum and the mountains of Nuratau to the floodplain forests of the Syr Darya and the shores of the Aral Sea — and already show measurable results. The network of protected areas is expanding, large-scale planting and soil stabilization measures are being implemented, and financing plans (including BIOFIN) are creating the basis for systemic resource mobilization. Projects such as the “Green Aral Sea” demonstrate how practical, on-the-ground work reduces desertification, mitigates dust storms, and creates jobs in vulnerable regions. Particular importance is given to targeted species restoration programs: the reintroduction of kulans and Bukhara deer, the support of Amu Darya sturgeons, and the protection of tugai forests serve as “anchors” for ecosystem restoration.