Besh-Aral nature reserve

The reserve of Besh-Aral is situated on the bottom of the Chatkal river, on the border with Uzbekistan. It's a part of an wide Chatkal park, which cover a also the Uzbek territory (Chatkal State biosphere reserve 35'724 ha). The reserve of 63'200 ha was established in 1979 and covers an altitude difference from 1000 to 4000 m. The reserve counts more than 15 various ecosystem with relatively high level of biodiversity. There are 1500 species of higher plants, 46 species of mammals, 150 species of birds, 10 species of reptiles and of amphibia. Rare plan species include the Semenov fir, the Kyrgyz apple, the rose Exochorda tianschanica, the kaufman Graig tulips and the Korolkoy sage. Among rare species of animals, you will find the Menzbir marmot (marmota menzbieri), the Turkestan gudgeon, the Tien Shan bear, the snow leopard and the stone marten.