Central Asia: Towards Sustainable Forest Management by Karen Ter-Gazarian

Forests constitute a key part of the Central Asian environment, but are under threat of deforestation. In this article Karen Ter-Gazarian analyses the causes of deforestation in Central Asia and offers some ways to counteract it. This review is based on the notes taken during the author’s several visits to Central Asia’s former Soviet Union Republics as well as his personal communications with local forest authorities and

international experts. The breakup of the USSR left the five republics of Central Asia—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and

Uzbekistan (total area of all countries exceeds 4,000,000 km2 which is equivalent to slightly over 40 percent of the U.S.

territory) with economic structures which are highly dependent on the import of materials, food and technology. Although the

countries have implemented certain land reform programs, a large portion of population (especially women) live well below the

subsistence line. Emigration rates are still following an upward trend. Corruption remains common and widespread.

Central Asia’s natural resources are vast and unique. In particular, forested areas

represent an indispensable element of the region’s precious landscape and

contribute various tangible (e.g., wood supply), and intangible benefits (clean air

and water, recreation, carbon storage, and anti-erosion benefits) for the local

population. From both the ecological and botanical points of view, the extremely

diverse forests of the region are an important source of non-timber products: fruits,

nuts, berries, honey, medicinal plants, and mushrooms. The region’s forests are

remarkably rich in biodiversity, giving shelter to hundreds of rare flora and fauna

species such as endemic (wild) apples, pears, and snow leopards.

Central Asia has limited forest resources mainly due to its arid continental conditions. The forested areas constitute ten

percent of land cover in Uzbekistan, and are lowest in Tajikistan (four percent). Forested areas in other countries fluctuate

from six to nine percent. The most commonly found forest types include saxaul associations (arid zones of Kazakhstan and

Turkmenistan), riparian/riverside forest associations (tugai) dominated by poplars, willows, and tamarisk, highland

broadleaved forests in Tien-Shan, Pamir-Alai, and Kopet-dag comprised by various fruit and nut trees (apple, pear, plum,

almond, and walnut species), juniper open woodland associations (especially in Kyrgyzstan), spruce and fir forest on the moist

northern slopes of the Tien Shan, and pistachio communities of which Badhyz nature reserve in Turkmenistan is the most

well-known location.

Although state-owned forests occupy only a minimal amount of land, they play significant role in the socio-economic

development of the region, specifically through the enhancement of natural resources protection, especially the protection of

water resources. However, current forest management policies and planning rarely support the sustainable use and

conservation of forest resources in an adequate manner. For instance, uncontrolled firewood collection and improper logging

operations (especially in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) work to impoverish forest capital and destroy biodiversity. This happens

due to inadequate forest management, including selection and cutting of the best quality trees, damaging young growth during

the removal of wood, and chaotic road building, to name but a few contributing factors.

Illegal logging as well as uncontrolled livestock grazing, extensive haymaking, and game poaching are widespread in the

region. Afforestation and reforestation programs are limited, adequate rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and eroded lands

“forested areas represent an

indispensable element of the

region’s precious landscape

and contribute various

tangible and intangible

benefits”

1Published in Perspectives on Central Asia 3, pp. 9-12, 2013which should be used for any reference to this work

is lacking, and the survival rate of new plantings is low. Although the majority of the rural population in Uzbekistan,

Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan depend on forest firewood as a main source of heat and for cooking, the governments provide few

legal and management incentives to offset the restricted access to fuel wood resources.

There are also large losses of wood at sawmills mostly because of outdated machinery, lack of trained technicians, and poor

technology (especially in Kyrgyzstan). Forest certification and wood legality verification processes are still in their infancy.

Insufficient forest use planning and law enforcement as well as a complete disregard for appropriate engineering guidelines,

and health and safety standards during forest operations, further exacerbate the situation.

It is important to make some brief contextual notes to assist understanding of the present situation in terms of the adequacy of

current forest management performance. Although each country of the region has its own specific peculiarities in terms of

forest management, it is possible to categorize some priority issues in order to address them within a broader regional context.

The first significant issue to be highlighted is the fact that the legal regime for forestry in the region remains in a state of

transition from the Soviet framework. The re-drafting of state forestry regulations to meet the specific needs of each country

has not yet been completed, nor any revised set of required regulations endorsed by the governments. This represents a major

legal hiatus at the present time. In practice, the previous regulations are still in use, although they no longer hold legal force.

Secondly, although it appears that forest management systems in the region are

extremely thorough, and, with a small number of exceptions, seem to comply with

sustainable forest management standards. However, the state forest agencies –

enterprises which follow the old Soviet organizational structure of leskhozes –, in

common with other public sector organizations, are currently experiencing serious

budgetary constraints. This currently prevents state forestry agencies from

implementing many fundamental forest management activities, and results in legal

non-compliance in many areas. Given this situation, the work that is actually still

being performed by forestry employees, where salaries are very low, is extremely

dedicated.

Charyn river is one

of the biggest

rivers of

Kazakhstan

(Alma-aty

province) with a

picturesque

canyon. Riparian

vegetation

includes poplars,

willows, ashes,

and various bushy

species.

Credit: Karen

Ter-Gazarian

“Given this situation, the

work that is actually still

being performed by forestry

employees, where salaries

are very low, is extremely

dedicated”

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