The Western Tian Shan is a mountain system characterized by a high level of endemism and rich flora and fauna. The region is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is one of the 34 Global Biodiversity Hotspots and is included in the Global 200 world’s priority ecoregions rating according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

This book is devoted to the biodiversity of the Western Tian Shan within Jalal-Abad Province of the Kyrgyz Republic and contains information on Specially Protected Nature Areas – the Sary-Chelek State Biosphere Reserve, Besh-Aral, Dashman and Padysha-Ata State Nature Reserves, Alatai, Kan-Achuu and Saimaluu-Tash State Nature Parks. The book includes appendices with the data on the region’s flora and fauna. For specialists in the field of ecology, environmental protection, nature management, environmental education, eco-tourism and a wide audience.

This publication was prepared in the framework of the UNDP/GEF project ‘Conservation of globally important biodiversity and associated land and forest resources of Western Tian Shan mountain ecosystems to support sustainable livelihoods’. For free distribution.
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the UN, the UN Development Programme, its programmes/projects or governments. The designations employed do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area, or its frontiers or boundaries.