Ashgabat hosted the seminar on the efficiency of the monitoring of water and wetland birds population on the migration routes and hibernation in Central Asia.The meeting was organized by the State Committee of Turkmenistan on Natural Protection and Land Resources, National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna in the partnership with the AEWA (Agreement of Protection of Water Birds Migrating along African Eurasian route) as well as with the Wetlands International, non-government organization on protection and study of the wetlands.
The purpose of the meeting is to coordinate the work for control of the birds that is carried out in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan under the Ramsar Regional Initiative for Central Asia.
Ornithologists from Europe, Central Asian and Russia specializing in the control of water and wetland birds took part in the seminar.They told during the meeting on the condition of the population in their regions, national approaches to organization of the monitoring of migrating water and wetland birds and on the activities for their protection.
Representatives of government and non-governmental natural protection organizations of Norway, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Finland told how the data on migrating, hibernating and nesting water and wetland birds is gathered in their countries and what are the perspectives in the analysis of this data.
Scientific personnel of Kaplankyr, Hazar, Syunt Hasardag and Amudarya Natural Preserves, Hunters and Fishermen Association of Turkmenistan, national ornithological experts took part in the discussion.
Head of the AWEA Working Group Nina Mikander noted that the seminar and future field studies would allow defining further measures for protection of the endangered species. “We would like to agree on the targets for the future projects in the region.
We also hope that exchange of the practices would help to activate regional cooperation in birds’ protection sphere.The activities of the AEWA cover 119 countries and half of them has joined this agreement.
At present time, action plans for protection of certain species including white-fronted wild goose, which part of the population hibernates in Central Asia, particularly in Tallymerjen Oasis of Turkmenistan, are under realization.
Only by the consolidation of the efforts, we can protect and save such rear endangered species as Sociable lapwing, Red-breasted goose, including white-fronted wild goose, pink pelican, white-headed duck and Marbled duck.
Our goal in the future is to establish single network for regular ornithological monitoring in the region”.
Head of the Laboratory of Scientific and Research Institute of Ecology Anna Belousova from Russia noted old scientific works related with our country and successful joint work for protection of rear species that was started by Academic A. K. Rustamov from Turkmen side and Professor A. G. Bannikov from Russian side.
Deputy Director of National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna, Candidate of Biological Studies Jumamurad Saarmuradov noted that cooperation with the AEWA started in 2005 and despite that Turkmenistan has not signed the Agreement, the country fulfils its main requirements.
Tatyana Shmygalyova, the representative of Kazakhstan Association for Protection of Biodiversity told that her country realizes the programme of the inventory of the main ornithological territories from 2002 under support of the Great Britain Royal Society for Protection of Birds and Darwin Initiative.
Next year, it is planned to start 5-year project with the participation of the colleagues from Romania and Bulgaria.Rear species the White-duck was mentioned as interesting migrating and hibernating bird in Central Asia.
According to the latest data, the population of this bird in its gathering in Kazakhstan exceeds 10 thousands.
Director of Kyrgyz Wild Nature Protection Association Sergey Kulagin told about the study of water and wetland birds in his country, which was organized at deep high mountain lake of Issyk-Kul gathering around 40 species of birds for hibernation as well as at the lakes Son Kul and Chatyr Kul, which belong to Ramsar territories.
Anthropogenic factor, poaching and unorganized tourism are among the factors affecting the condition of the population of hibernating species.
Head of Uzbekistan Birds Protection Society Roman Kashirov told that the monitoring of 150 species of birds inhabiting in five hundred lakes and fifty large water pools of the republic is carried out.
There are White-tailed eagle, Dalmatian pelican, Sociable lapwing among the rare hibernating species in Uzbekistan.As is known, the largest population of rare species of wader the Sociable lapwing was discovered in Tallymerjen Massif in Turkmenistan and Talymarjan Water Reserve in Uzbekistan during the whole history of ornithological studies.
At present time, joint efforts for sustainable use of this territory are planned.
It goes without saying that Tallymerjen Massif is one of the most important parts for protection of biological diversity and needs wise management.Sudochye Lake in Uzbekistan, where the studies of rare water birds are carried out with the support of IFAS and GIZ proposed in RECCA project “Protection and Rational Use of Water and Wetland territories of Sudochye Lake (Karakalpakstan)”, are perspective lands.
The monitoring of hibernation and nesting of Glossy ibis, Marbled duck, Spoonbill, Flamingo is carried out there.
After the seminar, the group of ornithologists went to Tallymerjen Massif in Lebap Velayat, where the control of hibernating water birds including rare duck species is ongoing.