Abdyjapar Akkulov, Director of the Advisory Center for the Protection of Mountain Ecosystems and Green Innovations at Osh State University, participated virtually in the IV International Conference on “Research and Teaching of Humanities in the Context of Central Asia: Environmental Aspects”. The conference, organized by the Aga Khan Foundation’s Humanities Project, took place on November 23.
In his presentation, Akkulov highlighted the global importance of mountain ecosystems and discussed Kyrgyzstan’s environmental challenges amid climate change. He stressed the critical need to prioritize the protection of mountain ecosystems, particularly in light of worsening socio-economic conditions. Akkulov called for a comprehensive revision of the state’s environmental policies through the collaborative efforts of government institutions, civil society, and international organizations.
He also showcased the Kurbu-Tash Forest project as a successful example of environmental restoration. This initiative, supported by local communities, Osh State University, USAID, and the Aga Khan Foundation, implemented agro-amelioration techniques to prevent landslides across more than 90 hectares. Additionally, over 30 hectares of forest were planted as part of the project. Akkulov emphasized the positive impact of these measures, which are already yielding results.