In this episode of Focus, we explore Uzbekistan's ambitious green initiatives, from protecting rare wildlife in the Surkhon Reserve to planting billions of trees, all aimed at combating climate change and restoring biodiversity.
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00:00Uzbekistan is making significant efforts to preserve its environment.
00:09Various programs aim to ensure that the country's future, threatened by climate change, desertification and the crisis of the Aral Sea, is green and sustainable.
00:22I am at the Surkhon State Reserve, a unique natural area in southern Uzbekistan near Termez.
00:29The reserve is home to many rare and endemic species with numerous endangered plants and animals.
00:36Today we will see how this precious environment is protected.
00:41I have joined a team of environmental inspectors to observe their work up close.
00:53Our journey begins at sunrise, which enhances our chances of spotting the rare animals that inhabit this region.
01:01The Surkhon Reserve is one of the most beautiful and diverse natural areas in Uzbekistan.
01:07Several years ago, a protected zone was established here, encompassing over 15,000 hectares, to preserve its unique ecosystems.
01:17We are here to monitor the environment.
01:21We are here to monitor the environment.
01:26We are here to monitor the environment.
01:32We are here to monitor the environment.
01:38We were fortunate to spot one of the rarest species in the area, the marhor.
01:45These remarkable animals are excellent climbers and can navigate challenging landscapes in search of food.
01:52We observed several herds and were able to get quite close using a drone.
01:58The rangers showed me a camera trap set up in the mountains,
02:03which had recently captured an image of an adult marhor showcasing its impressive and distinctive twisted horns.
02:10The marhor is one of the rarest animals in the region.
02:14Today, the Surkhon Reserve is the only protected area in Uzbekistan.
02:19Every year, we see 15-20% increase in the number of marhors.
02:25The marhor is among the species found in this reserve,
02:29which are listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.
02:35Since 2019-17, new protected natural areas have been established in Uzbekistan
02:41as part of the country's green strategy aimed at preserving biodiversity.
02:47In the last five years, the marhor has been a major source of income for us.
02:51We used to plant it in one spot, but now we can plant it in three or four different spots.
02:57This means that the marhor has become an important source of income for us.
03:17Uzbekistan is one of the first countries to suffer from climate change.
03:22The drying up of the Aral Sea is a clear example of an ecological disaster.
03:27I must say that the issues of ecology and environmental protection
03:31are included in the five most important issues facing our state.
03:46Every year, 200 million trees are planted throughout the country.
03:50The national program Yashil Makom, which means Green Land in Uzbek,
03:54was initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and launched in 2021.
03:59The goal is to plant 2 billion trees by 2030.
04:03I am a farmer.
04:05My name is Ahmet Dengissat.
04:07I grow marh.
04:10I also decided to contribute to the green future of Uzbekistan.
04:14This almond tree should give its first harvest in about three years.
04:19A variety of different trees are being planted in the cities,
04:23on the sides of the roads and in deserted areas.
04:27To preserve biodiversity, the ecological environment must be created.
04:33We need to create a good environment for our future
04:37and build a good environment for our future.