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Site description (2006 baseline):
Site location and context
South-west spurs of Chatkal ridge, upper reaches of Kyzylsay river basin, inflow of Ahangaransay river.
Ornithological fauna includes 134 species of birds, including 110 nesting (Lanovenko, 1997). Ornithological complex of typical mountains and alpine and high mountains including: Aegypius monachus, Gyps fulvus, Aquila chrysaetos, Falco tinnunculus, Alectoris chukar, Columba palumbus, Otus scops, Merops apiaster, Anthus spinoletta, Motacilla cinerea, Phoenicurus ochruros, Oenanthe pleschanka, Turdus viscivorus, Phylloscopus griseolus, Parus bokharensis, Oriolus oriolus, Lanius minor, Corvus corone, Emberiza bruniceps.
The introduced Acritheres tristis penetrates into the IBA’s territory from bordering shepherds' camps. Currently the species only breeds in the surrounding farmland.
The following species of birds from the National Red Book also occur: Ciconia nigra, Gypaetus barbatus, Gyps himalayensis, Gyps fulvus, Circaetus gallicus, Aquila chrysaetos, Hieraaetus pennatus, Falco pelegrinoides. IUCN Red List species are: Aegypius monachus, Falco naumanni, Falco cherrug (all breeding) and Circus macrourus and Aquila clanga (passage).
Non-bird biodiversity: The fauna includes 2 species of amphibian, 10 species of reptile, 31 species of mammal and 3 species of fish. Of the fish, Cottus jaxartensis is included in the National Red Book, as are the mammals - Rhinolophus hipposideros, Tadarida teniotis and Ursus arctos. IUCN Red List mammals are Marmota menzbieri and Uncia uncia.
The flora includes 1,036 species of vascular plants. Widely distributed are juniper, poplar and apple forests, wheat and prickly grasses.
The basic habitats are flood plain forests, nut and fruit forests, juniper forests, mid-altitude steppe slopes, alpine mountain steppe, alpine meadows, rocks and taluses.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
On the western border are cattle tracks leading to alpine pastures. On the northern border there are often cases of illegal intrusions by shepherds with livestock and poachers. In 1995 by the decision of the Tashkent region’s mayor, 115 hectares (the right bank of the Shavazihurdsay river) was removed from the territory. This has had a negative effect on the fauna.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Specialists from the Chatkal Reserve have been monitoring the condition of the ornithological fauna for many years. Between 2001 and 2003, a wide variety of zoological researches were carried out as part of the West Tian-Shan project.
The Bashkyzylsay part of the Chatkal reserve.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Bashkyzylsay Unit of the Chatkal Mountains Biosphere Reserve (Uzbekistan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/bashkyzylsay-unit-of-the-chatkal-mountains-biosphere-reserve-iba-uzbekistan on 23/12/2024.
