Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — During a recent online meeting organized by the Ministry of Environment Protection of Turkmenistan, the preparation of a dossier for nominating two unique nature reserves—Koytendag (Turkmenistan) and Surkhan (Uzbekistan)—for UNESCO’s status as a transboundary World Natural Heritage site was discussed, according to Turkmenportal.

The Koytendag Reserve, located in the southeastern part of Turkmenistan, attracts attention for its outstanding natural features. This area is famous for its rare species of flora and fauna, karst formations, and caves.

Koytendag is home to a unique mountain ecosystem, which harbors rare species such as leopards.

The Surkhan Reserve, located in the southern part of Uzbekistan in the mountainous Tien Shan region, also possesses exceptional natural and cultural heritage. The area is home to diverse plant and animal species, including the snow leopard, as well as monuments of ancient civilizations, reflecting the region’s rich history.

The preparation of the joint nomination involves international experts, including specialists from the Michael Zukov Foundation (Germany) and the Large Landscape Conservation Center (USA). The Koytendag nomination, initially initiated in 2015, will now be supplemented with the inclusion of Surkhan, which will ensure the preservation of the region’s ecosystem integrity.

It is also worth noting that an agreement between Turkmenistan and the Large Landscape Conservation Center, signed in 2021, aims to strengthen joint efforts for nature conservation and scientific coordination, increasing the likelihood of the project’s success. The Michael Zukov Foundation continues to work on improving the dossier, which will be submitted to UNESCO soon.